VET
CETERA
The official magazine of the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences

BRINGING UP
BOTTLE BABIES

FROM THE DEAN

Greetings,
The past few months as dean have been very exciting.
I am very glad to be here and appreciate all the support.
I enjoyed participating in my first graduation as
we continue the tradition of training career-ready
veterinarians. The class of 2018 numbered 80 — 54 went
into private practice (38 in small animal, two in large
animal, one in food animal, and 13 in a mixed animal
practice). Two were undecided on their next venture.
One veterinarian entered military service and 23
graduates continued their training with one pursuing a
Ph.D. and 22 entering internships. Nine selected a small
animal internship, one chose a food animal internship,
and 12 pursued a large animal internship.
Traveling across Oklahoma, I have had the
opportunity to meet 120-plus alumni and visit more
than 30 veterinary practices. I also spent time with
alumni at the Western Veterinary Conference, the American Veterinary Medical
Association Annual Conference, the Southwest Veterinary Symposium and the
American Association of Bovine Practitioners Annual Conference. This was
important to me to understand the culture of veterinary medicine in Oklahoma
and how we can improve our student training to meet the needs of the profession.
Consequently, the current curriculum review will address communication,
nutrition and self-management.
The center has been busy welcoming 14 new faculty and one staff member:
• Board-certified anatomic
pathology lecturer
• Board-certified assistant
professor of anatomic pathology
• Assistant professor of anatomy
• Board-certified associate
director of animal resources
• Two board-certified small
animal surgeons
• Clinical instructor in radiology
• Board-certified professor of
anesthesiology and pain
management

In September 2018, more than 100 faculty and staff participated in our first
strategic planning session, which was very productive and positive. The plan is to
revisit the center’s mission, vision statement and core values. Once defined, these
overarching ideals will serve as the foundation in developing our strategic plan.
Our goal is to exceed the expectations of our students, our referring veterinarians
and the residents of Oklahoma.
I look forward to continue working with our alumni and donors to make
Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences the one
veterinary students want to attend.
Sincerely,

The Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
graduates competent, confident, careerready veterinarians — a tradition it has
proudly carried forward since the day the
veterinary college opened its doors 70 years
ago. Please join us at the CVHS website:
cvhs.okstate.edu. The OSU homepage is
located at go.okstate.edu.
VET CETERA magazine is published each Winter by Oklahoma State
University, 305 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078. The magazine is produced
by the Office of Brand Management and the Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences. Its purpose is to ­connect the college with its many alumni and
friends, providing information on both ­campus news and pertinent issues
in the field of veterinary medicine. Postage is paid at Stillwater, OK, and
additional mailing offices.

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
(Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and
state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but
is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; Phone 405744-5371; email: eeo@okstate.edu has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies. Any person (student, faculty, or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns
and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX
Coordinator 405-744-9154. This publication, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, was printed by Modern Litho at a cost
of $7,861.55 4.8M /Dec/18. #7488

PHOTO GARY LAWSON

11

On the Cover

OSU discovers new pest
Dr. Susan Little’s research group at
Oklahoma State University’s Center for
Veterinary Health Sciences recently
identified just what the world needs: a
new tick.

Dr. Chris Ross bottle-fed two
wee baby lambs last spring.
For more on these cuties, look
inside the back cover. (Photo
by Phil Shockley)

38
11
38

12

Faculty Changes

62 Reunions

Confronting deadly diseases

70 Veterinarian
of the Year

The Oklahoma Center for Respiratory
and Infectious Diseases, based in the
CVHS, is the epitome of “one health.”

71

In Memoriam

16

A new way to heal
OSU is the nation’s first veterinary
school to offer focused ultrasound
treatment in addition to surgery and
chemotherapy.

54
12

30

Going up
A new classroom building is going up
for the Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences — and a dog was recruited to
help with the groundbreaking.

74
16

58

A day at the races
Every day is a day at the races for
OSU alumnus Dr. Philip Tripp, who
works with some of the nation’s top
equine athletes.

he Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is fortunate to have three board-certified
veterinarians who are also board-certified in equine sports medicine and
rehabilitation: Drs. Michael Davis, Todd Holbrook and Mike Schoonover.
“The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR)
was started about 10 years ago,” explained Michael Davis, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM,
DACVSMR, professor, Oxley Chair in Equine Sports Medicine and president-elect of
the ACVSMR. “About 20 veterinarians were motivated to start the college and have
the discipline recognized as a clinical specialty. They had done enough work in
the field that they were judged to be experts by the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA). They put together the basic requirements to be
in the college. I was in the first class that took and passed the exam to become
a board-certified veterinary specialist in sports medicine and rehabilitation.”
Todd Holbrook, DVM, DACVIM, DACVSMR, professor of equine
internal medicine, June Jacobs Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine
and equine section chief, and Mike Schoonover, DVM, MS, DACVS,
DACVSMR, and professor of equine surgery, also met the criteria to
sit for the exam and passed.

2 VET CETERA 2018

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS GARY LAWSON

Dr. Mike Schoonover

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 3

Dr. Mike Schoonover

“ If owners see or feel something that isn’t
right, we can help them determine what the
problem is and the best way to treat it.”
­— DR. MIKE SCHOONOVER
“You have to have certain
publications in equine sports medicine
and a certain number of years of
experience,” Holbrook said. “Once
they approve your credentials,
you can sit for the examination.”
All three specialists trace their
interest in sports medicine back to
the beginning of their careers.
“I have been involved with
performance horses since I was in high
school when I competed in western
rodeo events,” said Schoonover.
“While in veterinary college, I decided
I wanted to specialize in equine surgery.
I discovered that within the equine
surgery specialty, especially when
dealing with performance horses, there
is a considerable need for knowledge

4 VET CETERA 2018

of sports medicine as a whole, so the
next step was to pursue certification in
sports medicine.”
“Even before vet school, I’ve been
interested in animal athletics in general
and horses in particular,” added Davis.
“That’s why I went to vet school in the
first place and every time I’ve opted to
change jobs, I’ve made sure that I was
still working in the field of equine sports
medicine if at all possible.”
“After I completed my residency in
internal medicine, I went into practice
primarily focusing on sport horses,”
said Holbrook. “So my interest in sports
medicine developed there along with
an interest in endurance exercise.
I have worked with endurance horses
for nearly two decades.”

Davis works primarily on the
research side of sports medicine while
Holbrook and Schoonover treat patients
at OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital.
“Equine sports medicine and
rehabilitation is a remarkably advanced
field,” Davis said. “That’s largely
because since the moment we decided
to domesticate horses, they have existed
not so much as companions but as
athletes. As animals, they are expected
to work in order to be of value to humans.
This makes it necessary to understand
not just basic horse physiology but the
physiology of exercise as well. We need
to understand how they get injured,
how you fix that injury and how you
return them to original performance.”

“When people think about equine
sports medicine, they generally think
of soundness issues. But there are
a lot of other areas that can cause poor
performance. Rather than simply
evaluating a horse for lameness,
we can offer a whole-horse evaluation,”
said Schoonover. “We can also do a preseason evaluation, a checkup if you
will, to determine if a horse’s heart and
lungs are functioning appropriately
and how the horse looks from a
soundness standpoint.”
“There are a lot of different body
systems that have to perform at their
highest level, depending on the athlete,
to really allow them to get their job done
for their owners,” added Holbrook.
“It could be lameness, but it could also
be cardiac function or lung functions.
We can evaluate horses essentially from
the ground level all the way through the
organ systems that are all involved with
athletic performance.”
“Probably the most important piece
of advice I can offer horse owners is that
there isn’t a magic bullet,” continued
Davis. “It is going to take time and effort
to make the athlete a better athlete
and to protect that horse’s athleticism
from injury and from disease as well as
preserve your investment in the horse
and in your time spent with that horse.”

“Look at the poor performing
horse with an open mind,” added
Schoonover. “Evaluate all the avenues
from the get-go rather than jumping
to conclusions. A horse was actually
referred to us for a tie-back surgery,
which is a surgery that treats a disease
called laryngeal hemiplegia, commonly
called a paralyzed flapper. We decided
to evaluate this horse with a dynamic
endoscope which allows us to exercise
the horse with the scope or camera in
the horse’s airway so we can see what’s
happening to the airway in real time.”
Once the horse was exercising under
saddle, Dr. Schoonover and his team
discovered that not one but both of the
horse’s arytenoids or flappers were
closing down, completely occluding
the airway.
“Since this wasn’t a routine flapper
problem that a normal tie-back
surgery could solve, through testing
we diagnosed this horse as having
EPM, which is a neurologic disease.
The muscles that were holding those
arytenoids open were dysfunctional.
We treated the horse for EPM, the
condition improved, and the horse
went on to perform. Had we just done
the surgery and not taken the extra
diagnostic step of dynamic endoscopy,
we wouldn’t have helped that horse.”

“We have a great opportunity to
collaborate with many board-certified
specialists here at OSU,” continued
Holbrook. “It’s important for horse
owners to know about the specialists
available to treat their horses. We had
a dressage horse referred to us with
a cardiac problem as well as some
lameness issues. He has a heart murmur
that we continue to monitor for safety
and health concerns every six months
or so. It wasn’t limiting his performance.
More than likely lameness issues were,
so we addressed some issues in his
back. Using injections and shock wave
therapy, we treated some areas of his
spine that were impinging along his
thorax under the saddle area. He’s done
well, and he and his talented young rider
have gone on to do quite well in different
competitions across the U.S.”
Since the ACVSMR received full
recognition by the AVMA in April
2018 and the specialty becomes more
widely recognized, there is an increased
interest in achieving this distinction.
“There are between 220 and 230
board-certified specialists in the
ACVSMR,” said Davis. “Roughly 60
percent of them are board certified on
the equine side. The other 40 percent
are board certified in the canine. We
have one person who is actually board

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 5

Dr. Todd Holbrook

certified in both. We’re probably adding
about 30 members a year from combined
canine and equine as the folks get
their credentials accepted, complete
what specialty training they need and
then pass the exam. It’s a very, very
advanced field. Sports medicine and
rehabilitation is one of those fields
where there’s just as much borrowing
from human medicine as there is human
medicine borrowing from veterinary
sports medicine.”

6 VET CETERA 2018

Videos
LEARN MORE
For more information on OSU’s equine
sports medicine and rehabilitation, contact
the OSU Veterinary Medical Hospital at 405744-7000, ext. 2.
To support this program, contact
Chris Sitz, senior director of development
and team lead with the OSU Foundation at
405-385-5170 or csitz@osugiving.com.

Davis to lead
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY
SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

Michael Davis, DVM, DACVIM, DACVSMR,
professor and Oxley Chair in Equine Sports
Medicine is the president-elect of the American
College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and
Rehabilitation (ACVSMR).
“The executive rotation of the American College
of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation is
a four-year commitment,” Dr. Davis said. “You start
as vice president, then you go to president-elect,
then president, and finally to past president.”
As with most organizations, the executive
rotation leads the college in accomplishing its
mission.
“The largest amount of duty falls on the
president with the president-elect and vice
president there to step in when needed,”
continued Davis. “You work up a learning curve as
you advance to the role of president. In the case
of the ACVSMR being a very young college, there
is still a lot of growing to do. Up until April 2018,
virtually 100 percent of our effort was focused on
meeting the requirements for full accreditation by
the AVMA. Now that we have done that, it’s time
to start expanding into things like having our own
continuing education meetings and having our
own journal. Basically being a leader in the field in
a tangible sense.”
Davis is currently working on his strategy to
move the college forward during his remaining
tenure on the executive team.

“I have already started to lay the groundwork.
We’re working on financial planning to be able
to hold our own, stand-alone meeting to support
our membership and to expand the availability
of continuing education and scientific evidence
specific to veterinary sports medicine and
rehabilitation,” he said.
“The other area I’m going to be tackling is
how we go about establishing our own scientific
journal. Those are two huge endeavors and they
may not get done before I rotate off the board,
but that’s the direction the entire board has
decided we need to be moving. We need to be
the leaders, out there in front of the field because
we are the most highly qualified people to do that.
One of the challenges that the ACVSMR faces is
establishing themselves as the one unequivocal
and authoritative voice in the field. That’s where
we’re moving with the college and we’ll eventually
succeed.”

LEARN MORE
For more information on the American
College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and
Rehabilitation, visit vsmr.org.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 7

Saving Tux

Pug’s minimally invasive procedure
shows need for new operating room

H

.B. and Cindy Whitaker of
Springdale, Arkansas, are the
proud owners of five pugs. In
early 2017 while walking the dogs, H.B.
thought Tux, a 4-year-old they’ve had
since birth, looked overweight.
“I thought he might have bloat, which
is a competitive type of eating disorder
that can be dangerous to them,” said
Whitaker. “I took him to our local vet,
and to my surprise, they came out and
said it wasn’t food, but it was fluid.”
Fluid could be a sign that something
was wrong with Tux’s heart.
“This is a 4-year-old pug. A beautiful
dog. We knew something was wrong
that he was retaining fluid. So we did
a lot of different types of tests at our
local vet. All tests came back negative,”
he continued. “Our local vet referred

8 VET CETERA 2018

us to OSU. They said, ‘They’ll find out
what’s wrong with him. They won’t give
up until they find out.’”
Whitaker had no idea how true those
words would be.
“We first saw Tux in March 2017,”
recalled Dr. Rebecca Tims, then a
third-year internal medicine resident
at Oklahoma State University’s Center
for Veterinary Health Sciences. “He
came to us from Arkansas with a several
month history of a large volume of free
fluid in his abdomen, and no one could
figure why he had that. He was having as
much as 2 liters taken off his abdomen
every 10 days, which for a small dog like
this is really significant.”
“Taking 1 to 2 liters of fluid off him
was taking a toll on his body, and it was
beginning to show,” added Whitaker.

Minimally invasive
procedures are on
the rise at Oklahoma
State’s Veterinary
Medical Hospital.
Several clinicians
have gone the
extra mile to learn
how to perform
these procedures
using some of the
more advanced
technologies in
medicine to treat
complicated diseases
with minimal pain,
minimal healing time
and much better
outcomes.

“It was just painful to watch. If we didn’t
find the answer, we were going to have to
put him down.”
“We evaluated his heart.
We evaluated his GI tract,” explained
Tims. “All of those tests were completely
normal. We did a CT scan of his
abdomen and initially felt that it looked
fairly normal. When we compared it to
other CTs, we found that a portion of his
vena cava — a large vessel that drains all
of the blood from your abdomen — was
very dilated in one area and then very
narrow in another area. We weren’t
really sure what that meant. Was it
just a variation for him? Was it causing
the problem?”
Tux’s images were placed on
a listserv for minimally invasive
procedures to see if any other
veterinarians in the country had seen
something similar and could help solve
the mystery of the source of Tux’s fluid.
Also on the case were Drs. Ryan
Baumwart, veterinary cardiologist,
and Andrew Hanzlicek, small animal

internal medicine specialist and Dr.
Tims’ mentor at the center’s Veterinary
Medical Hospital.
“We put some dye in and watched it
move through the blood vessels,” said
Baumwart. “We actually saw that it was
getting blocked. We then did a selective
angiogram, where we put a catheter up
through his caudal vena cava. As we
injected that dye, we could see exactly
where the problem was. There was
a stricture or narrowing of that blood
vessel, and it was causing pressure to
back up into the back half of his body,
and that was causing the fluid to
build up.”
Now that they knew what the
problem was, they would need the
owner’s permission to do the
necessary surgery.
“Once we found where the problem
was, we went in and ballooned it open,”
added Hanzlicek. “We inflated a small
balloon catheter and opened up the
tissue. Then we placed a stent to hold
it open. Basically, that allowed all of the

blood in his abdomen to get back to his
heart. That was the problem. It (blood)
wasn’t able to get back, and pressures
were building up. One of the coolest
things about Tux’s procedure is that
all of that was done through
a couple little bitty incisions through
his neck and through his back leg.
So there wasn’t a big major surgery.
It essentially was pain free. It was very
minimally invasive.”
The center is looking to acquire
an operating room large enough to
accommodate the specialists needed
(cardiologist, internist, anesthesiologist,
students, and veterinary technicians)
and the various pieces of equipment
required to perform these procedures,
including wireless technology.
“These are very cool procedures,
and a lot of students and veterinarians
in training want to be involved,” said
Hanzlicek. “Having the capability to
show these procedures with audio so
you can hear and see what is going on
in the operating room would add so

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 9

(

“They saved our dog’s life. How do you thank someone
for saving your dog’s life? These doctors here, it’s just
incredible. This is like the children’s hospital for dogs.”

much value to the education of future
veterinarians. That is definitely a goal
of this program moving forward.”
Tux’s surgery was the first time
veterinarians performed this particular
procedure at OSU.
“The surgery was very successful,”
said Whitaker. “Right after the surgery,
Tux was up running around as if
nothing had ever happened. Within a
week or so, he looked perfectly healthy.
One of the things I thought was so great
about the surgery was the minimally
invasive surgery. They went through
the neck instead of having to open the
dog up to do it. The recovery time is a
lot shorter. They want to raise money
for an operating room here at OSU
that specializes in minimally invasive
surgery. It gives an option to dog
owners to save the life of their dogs.
They saved our dog’s life. How do
you thank someone for saving your
dog’s life? These doctors here, it’s just
incredible. This is like the children’s
hospital for dogs.
“It was worth every penny. OSU went
out of their way to find out what was
going on with Tux and how to solve it.
We will be forever thankful for that,”
he continued. “It was our first time
using the hospital. It is an outstanding

10 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

— H.B. Whitaker, owner of Tux
facility and one of the best training
facilities in the country probably
for veterinarians. They don’t mess
around. They’re at the forefront of
solving problems, and these students
are standing right beside them as they
do it. I told my wife whenever I was
watching all this and going through this
with our dog, these guys (students) are
getting their money’s worth. This is just
outstanding if you’re a student because
this is what you come here
to do.”
On Dec. 21, 2017, Tux returned
to OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital
for a recheck following his November
surgery.
“He has no fluid in his abdomen,”
reported Tims. “He has filled out.
He used to be very thin and had no
muscle over his head. Now he’s this
beautiful dog. He’s a real miracle,
and we’re happy — so happy —that he’s
doing better. The biggest thing was that
he was completely healthy otherwise.
We couldn’t find anything else wrong
with him. We were really driven to find
out what was going on and fix it so that
he could have a full and happy life.”
“I would add that really the only
treatment for this was a minimally
invasive procedure,” said Hanzlicek.

)

“That’s the importance of this program
is that there is less pain, shorter healing
time for our pets and in some cases,
it’s the only feasible option for
treatment. So it’s an important program
that we’re trying to grow here at
Oklahoma State. And Tux is a living
example of what it can do.”

SUPPORT US
To support advancing minimally invasive
procedures at Oklahoma State University
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences,
contact Chris Sitz, senior director of
development with the Oklahoma State
University Foundation, at 405-385-5170
or csitz@osugiving.com.

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS GARY LAWSON

Tick-led at Their Find
OSU researchers identify the new longhorn tick

I

t’s not every day you see a new tick! Dr. Susan
Little’s research group at Oklahoma State
University’s Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences recently identified a nymphal longhorned
tick or bush tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis.
The tick came from a dog in Arkansas
through a national tick surveillance project being
conducted by Little’s team. The OSU lab confirmed
the morphologic identification by sequencing
and reported the finding to the United States
Department of Agriculture.
According to Little, a renowned veterinary
parasitologist, the finding wasn’t altogether
surprising.
“We knew to be on the lookout for this tick given
recent reports in New Jersey, Virginia and West
Virginia,” she said. “We are very glad we were
able to assist on efforts to understand the current
distribution of this new species.”
Originally from East Asia, the longhorn tick
successfully established itself in other areas of
the world including Australia, New Zealand and
perhaps now, the eastern United States. It feeds on
cattle, small ruminants, horses, dogs, cats, people
and several common wildlife species.
Most modern tick control products are
effective against this tick in other areas of the
world. To protect yourself and your animals
from this tick or any tick, Dr. Little recommends
routine use of year-round tick preventive. Your
veterinarian can suggest the best method for your
particular animals.

Surveillance is ongoing to learn more about
where the tick is in North America and what
diseases — if any — it may be transmitting.
If you find unusual ticks on animals, please
feel free to submit them to Oklahoma State
University’s veterinary center for identification.
Instructions on submitting can be found at
www.showusyourticks.org.
Susan Little, DVM, Ph.D., is a diplomate in
the American College of Veterinary Microbiology
(Parasitology). A professor in the veterinary
center’s Department of Veterinary Pathobiology,
she holds the Krull-Ewing Endowed Chair in
Veterinary Parasitology.

Early on, Dr. Lin
Liu wanted to build
a research center to
study diseases of the
respiratory system.
The seed was planted
in his mind as
he studied these
diseases as a postdoctoral fellow, but
he admits he knew
he was too young to
lead such an effort.
But in 2013, after he joined the faculty
at the Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences at Oklahoma State University,
the seed blossomed into the Oklahoma
Center for Respiratory and Infectious
Diseases (OCRID). The course of his
career, and dozens of others, was set.
Center director Liu was thrilled
when OCRID opened its doors on
the OSU campus with $11.3 million
in federal funding in 2013. Now the
pressure was on to show that this
first phase of funding by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) was worth it
— and it has been.
“Phase 1 has been transformative
to the landscape of respiratory
and infectious disease research in
Oklahoma,” Liu said this summer after
learning that OCRID was awarded a
Phase 2 grant to continue its research
until at least 2023.
NIH awarded $11.1 million to the
center to continue the work of more
than 60 scientists from three research
institutions in the state, including
OSU. As it did five years ago, the
funding comes from the NIH Centers
of Biomedical Research Excellence
(CoBRE) program, which supports
expanding biomedical research
throughout the country by universities
and institutions that recruit and train
scientists, develop core research

Dr. Lin Lui

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 13

“OCRID HAS PUT OKLAHOMA ON THE MAP
IN THIS CRITICAL AREA OF MEDICAL RESEARCH.”
— DR. KENNETH SEWELL

facilities and carry out cutting-edge
investigations.
The goal is to better understand
countless destructive diseases and
develop vaccines and drug treatments
to prevent infection, limit transmission,
treat lung damage and avert related
infections.
As a university-level research center,
OCRID reports to the division of Vice
President for Research. The center is
based at the OSU Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences.
OCRID scientists are pioneering
research in Oklahoma into a multitude
of diseases that sicken millions.
Infectious respiratory diseases are
a worldwide public health epidemic.
These diseases run the gamut from
the common cold and strep to lifethreatening infections such as
tuberculosis, influenza, pneumonia (the
leading worldwide cause of the death of
children under 5), human respiratory
syncytial virus (HRSV), infections
that aggravate such disorders as cystic
fibrosis and many other illnesses.
Most of these illnesses have no
vaccines or cures.
To carry out its mission, OCRID
was set up to be multi-institutional to
tap into as much expertise as possible.
It includes OSU, the University of
Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
(OUHSC), the University of Oklahoma
and the Oklahoma Medical Research
Foundation (OMRF).
“OCRID has put Oklahoma on the
map in this critical area of medical
research,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell,
OSU vice president for research. “Phase
2 funding from the NIH will allow
researchers at OSU, OUHSC, OU and
OMRF to accelerate their collaborations

14 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

over the next five years, generating
breakthroughs to understanding
the causes and potential cures for
devastating infectious diseases of
the respiratory system.”
The continuation of funding is a
significant milestone, said Liu, Regents
Professor and Lundberg-Kienlen
Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research
at OSU.
“We want to be extraordinary in
Phase 2 by continuing to mentor junior
faculty, building infrastructure and
promoting collaboration, which will
develop a sustainable center of
research excellence,” he said.
Each five-year phase of CoBRE
funding supports four core projects that
examine significant, well-established
areas of infectious disease research
with potential for important advances.
A Phase 1 core project led by Dr. Tom
Oomens, an OSU associate professor
of virology in the Department of
Veterinary Pathobiology, is designing
and testing an experimental vaccine
for human respiratory syncytial virus,
the leading cause of bronchiolitis and
pneumonia among children. His lab’s
work is critical because of the virus’
worldwide magnitude and its stubborn
resistance to inoculation by vaccines.
“It has been extremely difficult to
make a vaccine for HRSV and people
all over the world are working on it,”
Oomens said. “Mortality estimates are
really staggering. Luckily, few children
in the U.S. die from HRSV, but about
150,000 die around the world every year.”
Main researchers at OCRID, like
Oomens, are advancing long-term
studies that will eventually move
beyond the center to attract large grants
from federal research institutes like

the NIH. For the many smaller research
pilot projects supported almost solely by
OCRID, winning large grants is difficult.
In these small projects, scientists must
come up with preliminary results to
show the potential of the research, and
OCRID funding allows scientists to
show the legitimacy of their ideas.
“Their research lays the foundation
upon which to build future studies,” Liu
said.
Dr. Veronique Lacombe, an associate
professor of physiological sciences
at the Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences and an OCRID researcher,
launched a pilot project that this
year became one of four OCRID core
investigations.
“It’s very hard to have support from
federal agencies when you’re starting a
novel, cutting-edge pilot project based
around an unproven idea,” Lacombe
said. “So you have to validate your idea
by collecting preliminary data,
and only OCRID was able to provide
that financial support to start my
research as a pilot project.”
Lacombe is studying why diabetics
are predisposed to respiratory infection.
She is studying the metabolism of the
lungs and why high levels of sugar in
the lungs, which can be toxic, can lead
to respiratory infection. The long-term
goal for Lacombe’s lab is to identify
new drugs to treat these patients.
The development of treatments – what
scientists call “from bench to bedside” –
will take years of research and
much funding.
That happened this fall when a pair
of research projects begun at OCRID
were awarded NIH grants. OSU’s Dr.
Heather Fahlenkamp, a professor in the
Department of Chemical Engineering,

and Dr. Susan Kovats, an associate
member of the arthritis and clinical
immunology program at OMRF, were
awarded a $2 million NIH grant to
continue developing an innovative
tissue-engineered lung model to
understand the immune system’s
response to influenza. Dr. Haobo Jiang,
a Regents Professor in entomology and
plant pathology at OSU, received a $1.8
million NIH award for his research into
the immune response of insects fighting
pathogens that also cause serious
human diseases.
How did OCRID prove to the
NIH CoBRE program that it was on
its way toward making significant
contributions to respiratory disease
research in Oklahoma? In Phase 1,
OCRID doubled to 60 the number of
respiratory disease researchers who
secured more than $50 million in
additional funding outside OCRID.
The CoBRE grant also expanded
biomedical research infrastructure
in Oklahoma with three state-of-theart facilities at OSU.
It also connected scientists from
all over the state to collaborate. That
critical process focused on senior
researchers mentoring early-career
scientists. Oomens benefited from one
such relationship by working with
mentor Dr. Robert Welliver, head of
pediatrics at OUHSC. A CoBRE goal
is training the next generation of
researchers through interdisciplinary
collaboration among OCRID’s partner
institutions.
“An important way to do that is to
bring scientists with different expertise
together,” Oomens said. “That benefited
me by allowing me to push my research
further.”

OCRID regularly brings in worldrenowned respiratory disease experts
to share the latest findings that can
impact research here in Oklahoma.
By combining scientific strengths and
the top facilities in Oklahoma, OCRID
is building a national reputation for
its work.
“OCRID was really the key because
it brought together scientists and
investigators, which we could not have
done independently,” said Dr. Heloise
Anne Pereira, dean of the graduate
college and Herbert and Dorothy
Langsam Chair in Geriatric Pharmacy
at OUHSC. “Bringing together the
best investigators from each of these
institutions has really been the success
of OCRID.”
The four main researchers from
Phase 1, including Fahlenkamp, have
“graduated” from OCRID and now
work independently from the center to
expand their efforts on their own using
training and relationships from the
center. A new set of four core projects
has been selected for funding in the
next phase, including the research
from Lacombe, and OSU’s Dr. Shitao
Li, assistant professor of virology, Dr.
Marianna Patrauchan, OSU associate
professor in microbiology and
molecular genetics, and Dr. William
McShan, OUHSC associate professor in
pharmaceutical sciences.
“I am extremely pleased that the first
OSU CoBRE grant was able to transition
to Phase 2 without any disruption,
thanks to an incredible collaboration
from scientists across the state of
Oklahoma,” Liu said.

LEARN MORE
To watch videos about OCRID, visit
okla.st/ocrid1 and okla.st/ocrid2.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 15

A New Way to Heal
Nation’s first focused ultrasound program offers
safer and easier way to treat pet cancers

Five years ago,
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
established a
focused ultrasound
program at
Oklahoma State
University’s Center
for Veterinary Health
Sciences. Today, OSU
is the first veterinary
school to offer
focused ultrasound
treatment as a
service in addition
to surgery and
chemotherapy.

Learn More
Check out the focused ultrasound
program at okla.st/ultrasound

16 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

“Building on my prior work with highintensity focused ultrasound or HIFU
technology at the National Institutes of
Health, my laboratory initiated several
funded research projects in cancerbearing rodent models to understand
the feasibility of translating this
approach to treat veterinary cancer
patients,” explained Ranjan, BVSc,
Ph.D., Kerr Foundation Endowed
Chair and associate professor in the
Department of Physiological Sciences.
“Specifically, the projects aimed to
tailor the HIFU sound energy for
enhancing localized tumor killing and
chemotherapy delivery and optimizing
the immune system for robust
therapeutic outcomes. In addition, we
worked on devising new methodologies
for improving sensitivity of drug
resistant pathogens to antimicrobials.
Based on the promising data in rodents,
the laboratory was recently funded by
the Focused Ultrasound Foundation
to conduct clinical trials in dogs
with cancer and non-healing wound
infections. That’s how we got started.”
The HIFU service is currently
available to owners to treat cancerous
tumors, infected soft tissue and bone
infections, Ranjan said.
“Patients entering the clinical trial
must have an active infection or the
presence of a locally accessible tumor.
The FDA is currently reviewing our
application to include in the HIFU
regimen nanoparticle immune
adjuvants, which we developed in the
lab. This will be especially beneficial
for patients with aggressive cancer that
has spread to other parts of the body
from its primary site,” he continued.

“While we are the only school to provide
HIFU as a service, Virginia Tech also
has a grant that is supporting research
in focused ultrasound technology for
veterinary cancer patients.”
Others working on this project at
OSU include Drs. Danielle Dugat, Jerry
Malayer and Jerry Ritchey. Malayer
provides cell and molecular biology
support looking at the interactions
of molecules in and on the cells that
mediate the processes of tumor
destruction while Ritchey is responsible
for immunopathology support.
“I look at microscopic samples of
the cancer to determine whether the
cancerous tissue is being affected by
Dr. Ranjan’s treatments to perhaps
verify if the treatment is working or
not,” Ritchey said. “We also run samples
through a flow cytometer, which gives
us a picture into the function of the
patient’s immune system during the
cancer treatment because some of
Dr. Ranjan’s therapies are aimed at
enhancing the patient’s own immune
system to help fight the cancer.”
“My role in the focused ultrasound
clinic at the Hospital is to engage
clients,” said Danielle Dugat, DVM,
MS, DACVS (Small Animal), Cohn
Family Chair for Small Animal Care,
and assistant professor of small animal
surgery in the Department of Veterinary
Clinical Sciences at the veterinary
center’s Veterinary Medical Hospital.
“Dr. Ranjan and I seek out patients who
are in need of this therapy. Together
with others involved in the project,
Drs. Kalyani Ektate, Harshini Ashar,
and Donald Holter, we help manage
these cases from the time they come

in the door including their hospital stay,
evaluations, taking measurements and
performing diagnostics — basically all
the clinical aspects of maintaining
that patient around the actual
procedure itself.”
The HIFU procedure typically
requires that the patient be very still
for about an hour. Patients receive
anesthesia and pain control during
each procedure.
“Our state of the art system comes
equipped with an imaging and
treatment transducer. We use the
ultrasound imaging transducer to
locate the tumor,” Ranjan said. “We are
doing the HIFU treatment under image
guidance, which in this case, happens
to be ultrasound.”
During this clinical trial phase,
the veterinary center team reports
mixed rates of success.
“In some cases, we had complete
remission,” Ranjan reported. “The

18 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

tumor was gone after one or two
treatments. In other cases, we had
control of the disease. In other words,
the tumor did not grow beyond what
it was when the patient came to us,
so that is also success.”
“My experience currently with
the clinical trial cases has been very
rewarding,” Dugat said. “We’re learning
as we go what type of cancers may be
more responsive or less responsive.
Through this trial, we are gaining
information on how different tumors
may react. Two cases that pop in the top
of my mind are ones where the tumors
have completely gone away. So for a
patient where maybe surgery would
have meant removing half of their jaw
or reconstructing their lip, now they
wouldn’t have to have any surgery and
the tumor could be removed via this
method. That is the real rewarding part
of this technology. When we know more
information in the future, then maybe

we can offer this as a first step or a first
line of treatment before we even think
about surgery.”
The two most critical benefits
to focused ultrasound treatment over
such traditional treatments as surgery,
chemotherapy or radiation are that it is
non-invasive and non-toxic.
There are some cost benefits to this
treatment as well.
“As we are the first veterinary school
to offer this kind of treatment, we also
happen to be the first college to set
the cost of the treatment,” explained
Ranjan. “If an owner were going to go
with focused ultrasound in contrast to
surgery, they would be saving at least 50
percent. A typical surgical procedure
for an oral cancer would cost about
$5,000, whereas in the case of focused
ultrasound, that would be available at
$2,000 to $2,500.”
“This technology is very exciting,”
said Dr. Jeff Studer, hospital director.
“It, combined with the tireless efforts
of Drs. Ranjan and Dugat, is providing
treatment options for our patients who
would have otherwise not had options.”
According to Drs. Dugat and Ranjan,
owners have been very willing to
participate in the clinical trial.
“Owners are happy to try to advance
medical care not only to get good
results in their own patient but to give
us more information so we can help
future patients,” Dugat said. “So it’s
been very positive even in the cases that
haven’t worked. The owners have been
very thankful that they have gotten
the chance to try and see if there was
anything that could be done.”
“It was pretty fabulous that Laddie
was part of that trial, mostly financially
so he could be treated,” said owner
Jennifer Reyna of Stillwater. “He is
doing just fine now.”
Laddie is a 10-year-old border collie
who had a mass on his mandible. As part
of the cancer clinical trial, treatment
costs were covered by OSU endowed
chairs. The mass was confirmed to
be an acanthomatous ameloblastoma.
Laddie received one focused ultrasound
treatment for three to five minutes.
Within a few days, the mass fell off.
A recheck three weeks later showed
Laddie was cancer-free with no ulcers
present. No evidence of neoplasia

(

“We want owners to know that there are newer methods out there
whether it be for chronic wound healing or treating cancer.”

or ameloblastoma were found in the
diagnostic evaluation.
Oreo is another success story.
Lance Millis, director of student
academic services at OSU’s College
of Engineering, Architecture and
Technology, has been bringing Oreo
to OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital
since the 9-year-old Shetland sheepdog
was a puppy. When veterinarian Dr.
Paul DeMars noticed a mass on Oreo’s
lower right lip, he referred the dog to
the hospital’s dentist, who surgically
removed the mass. A biopsy showed it
to be plasmacytoma. When the mass
returned, Millis entered Oreo in the
clinical trial.
“Oreo is doing great,” Millis said.
“His demeanor has been terrific. There
has been no recurrence; he’s doing
awesome. When we would take Oreo
in for his treatments, the vet students
would recognize him. Dr. Dugat would
ask about him. We’re very happy he has
friends at the hospital.”
Oreo received two focused
ultrasound treatments for three to five
minutes each. A recheck three weeks
later showed no cancer with no ulcers
present.
“We have now expanded the
treatment from dogs to cats,” Ranjan
said. “There is a significant amount of
interest at the hospital to do horses as
they also get skin cancer or sarcoids. My

— Dr. Danielle Dugat
lab is currently working on developing a
system for that kind of treatment. These
translational projects meet the OSU
mission of developing clinically relevant
technologies that enhance non-invasive
and minimally invasive treatments.
The owners currently see a lot of benefit
in having a treatment like this where
there is no surgery, no infection.
It has very minor complications,
and it’s relatively rapid.”
Dugat echoed: “The future appears
bright when it comes to the possibilities.
We want owners to know that there are
newer methods out there whether it
be for chronic wound healing or
treating cancer.”
“As we learn more about this
approach, we are optimistic at the
possibilities that this technology
can offer. I give credit to several
undergraduate, graduate, and DVM
students who worked tirelessly to
bring this to fruition. It’s said that the
best reward in biomedical sciences is
when research is translated from
bench to bedside. Our early data in
the canine patients represents such
a vision, however, a lot of research is
still needed to be done to establish the
true feasibility of this technology,
and wide-range clinical use for a
variety of indications,” added Ranjan.

)

LEARN MORE
For more information on OSU’s focused
ultrasound program, contact Dr. Ranjan
at ashish.ranjan@okstate.edu.
To support veterinary medical research,
contact Chris Sitz, senior director
of development and team lead for
the veterinary center with the OSU
Foundation, at 405-385-5170 or
csitz@osugiving.com.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 19

A New Look

Upgraded CT scanner provides sharper images
and better diagnoses

When your patients
can’t speak, more
options are vital for
determining what’s
wrong with them.
And none of the
patients at OSU’s
Veterinary Medical
Hospital can speak.

Recently the hospital recently got
more help in this area when it upgraded
its CT scanner from a four-slice model
to a 64-slice unit.
Dr. Carrie Kuzma, a clinical
instructor in radiology in the
Department of Veterinary Clinical
Sciences, detailed the benefits of the
new scanner.
“This machine provides shorter scan
times, less anesthesia, less anesthetic
time and better image quality,” she said.
“The four-slice scanner was much slower
with its scanning time and was more
susceptible to artifacts or distortions
and motion from the patients. This
required nearly all patients to be under
general anesthesia for their scans.”

Today is different: “We get our scans
done in half the time or even less. We
are capable of doing more patients under
heavy sedation versus complete general
anesthesia. Also, the new machine is
less susceptible to motion and artifacts.”
OSU’s hospital takes referrals from
veterinarians across Oklahoma and the
region.
“It’s important that our referring
veterinarians know that we have the
64-slice CT scanner,” she said. “It is
up and running and available. We have
it for small animal, large animal and
exotic animals.”
According to Kuzma, the radiology
team is now getting patients into
surgery sooner.

“If a patient needs surgery, we can
scan them in a quarter of the time
compared to the four-slice CT scanner.
Then they are off to surgery, which
allows the surgeons to get things done
quicker because the patient is ready
faster. We can also deliver patients
quicker to ultrasound for fine needle
aspirations that help with medicine
cases.
“I think one of the biggest things
that we are able to do now is look at
more coronary arteries around the
heart. We are able to see them in better
definition. With the 64-slice, we see a
lot of those little, finer structures a bit
better. Having the 64-slice CT scanner
just helps overall with the diagnosis of
patients.”
Drs. Bob Shoup and Steve Weir of
Catoosa Small Animal Clinic were
among the supporters of this project.
“We gave in recognition of the
wonderful career and work that Dr.
Mark Neer (who recently retired) did
for the profession and the university,”
Shoup said. “Plus, advanced imaging is
a must for referral centers. The 64-slice
CT will improve imaging and diagnostic
capabilities.
“However, machines are just
machines unless you have people who
can run the test, interpret the results
correctly, and then give treatment
options. OSU’s Veterinary Medical
Hospital has the people in place who
can utilize the new CT to its fullest
capacity. Obviously, CT scanners are
too expensive for the average veterinary
clinic. That is why it is important that
we have them easily accessible for our
clients.”

As with any new piece of equipment,
the 64-slice CT scanner comes with a
learning curve.
“It’s a more complicated system
because it is a 64-slice versus a 4-slice
machine,” Kuzma explained. “Once you
learn the system and the machine, it
becomes easier and faster to run. The
technicians become more efficient and
more proficient the more they use it.”
Kuzma estimated that maybe one
or two other veterinary practices in
Oklahoma has a 64-slice CT scanner.
“That’s going to depend on how
many specialty practices there are,
their caseload and what they have
decided to use for equipment,” Kuzma
said. “I would say about 30 percent of
veterinary colleges in the country have
a 64-slice CT scanner. Some are still
using either an eight-slice or a 16-slice.
Once their equipment comes to end of
life, their upgrade will more likely be to
a 64-slice.”
Marla and John Palovik are grateful
clients of OSU’s Veterinary Medical
Hospital who were referred by Dr. Shoup.
“Our beloved Cavalier King Charles
spaniels, Mattie and Alice, had mitral
valve heart disease, as many Cavaliers
do,” Marla Palovik said. “Dr. Shoup had
done and tried all he knew to do with
medications and treatment. He referred
us to OSU’s veterinary cardiologist,
Dr. Ryan Baumwart, in late 2016 for
his expertise. Despite seeing some
improvement in their health, we had to
let the girls ‘go’ in December 2016. Due
to the care and concern given us, we
decided to make a first-time donation
in memory of Mattie and Alice shortly
after they passed away.

“Months later, Dr. Shoup mentioned
the 64-slice CT scanner the hospital
was trying to acquire. We decided to
make a second donation earmarked
specifically for the CT, knowing the
advanced technology of the new 64-slice
CT would benefit both small and large
animals and meet critical medical
needs of many more patients in a shorter
period of time than with the original,
older CT machine. We were honored
to attend the Center’s Open House and
dedication of the new CT scanner earlier
this spring.
“We would not hesitate to bring our
future pets to OSU’s Veterinary Medical
Hospital again, or to refer others as
well. If lives can be saved or medically
improved, this is the place to be.”
“If we want OSU to be a great referral
center, it is critical that we make sure
they have the best equipment available,”
Shoup said. “It is also important to train
tomorrow’s veterinarians on the latest
technology so they can be their best
when they graduate.”
“On behalf of the entire radiology
department, thank you to everyone who
supported the purchase of this machine
and helped us upgrade our technology,”
Kuzma said.

LEARN MORE
To support OSU’s veterinary medicine
program, contact Chris Sitz, senior director
of development and team lead with the
OSU Foundation, at 405-385-5170 or
csitz@osugiving.com.

OSU teams with Mercy Work Foundation
to offer options for peace of mind care

P

eople come and go in your
lifetime. They may even impact
your life without your knowing
it. If you are an animal lover, such could
be the case with the late Leah Cohn
Arendt of Oklahoma City.
Leah’s family established the Mercy
Work Foundation of Oklahoma in 1992
to perpetually care for small animals.
Mercy Work makes two to three grant
awards each year, ranging between
$5,000 and $20,000.
Leah had an insatiable love of
rescuing companion animals and had a
number of dogs and cats.
Administrators of the estate at
Boatmen’s First National Bank of
Oklahoma decided to use some of the
Mercy Work funds to care for Leah’s
dogs. Patty Whitecotton served as
administrator of the program for more
than eight years.
“We worked with Dr. Joe Alexander,
who was then dean at Oklahoma State
University’s Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences,” Whitecotton recalls.
“We agreed to establish an endowed
chair and to help fund the construction

of the Cohn Pet Care Facility. For as
long as Leah’s dogs were alive, we would
provide funding to help cover the cost of
their care and any necessary veterinary
treatment. OSU was also welcome to
apply for an annual grant distribution
for funds that support needs that align
with the overall mission of Mercy Work.”
Thus began the 20-plus-year
relationship the veterinary center still
enjoys with the Mercy Work Foundation
of Oklahoma. Through the years, OSU
has received more than $1.7 million in
annual grants from Mercy Work. These
funds have allowed the veterinary
center to keep the facility in good repair,
upgrade equipment and technology,
and ensure the animals housed at
the Cohn Facility are cared for 24/7.
Mercy Work’s generous support has
also allowed OSU to care for animals
involved in domestic violence situations.
“I think it’s a great place for people
who don’t have relatives or anyone
left who can take their animals when
they pass away so their animals have a
safe place to live out their lives,” says
Whitecotton. “It’s also wonderful

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTO PHIL SHOCKLEY

that the Cohn Pet Care Facility is a
safe haven for animals whose family
environment may be threatened.”
The Cohn Pet Care Facility opened
in 1998. It has been home to Leah’s
dogs, another dog named April, and is
currently housing two cats, Sophie and
Suzy. Approximately 25 families have
provided endowed gifts to the OSU
Foundation for their animals to be cared
for by the Cohn Facility should their
animals outlive them. More than 870
pets have been boarded at the facility,
including birds, cats, dogs, a hedgehog
and a rabbit. In addition, at least 48
animals caught in domestic violence
situations have been safely cared for
until they were reunited with their
owners or a stable, permanent home was
made available.
“Mercy Work Foundation of
Oklahoma has impacted the lives of so
many animal lovers who just want to
know their beloved pets are going to
be safe and cared for when they are no
longer able to provide for them,” says Dr.
Chris Ross, then interim dean of OSU’s
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
“Add to that the research, education and
veterinary medical care provided by
the faculty who have been appointed as
Cohn Family Chair for Small Animals,
and that impact just grew exponentially.
We are forever grateful for Mercy Work
of Oklahoma’s continued support.”
“The mission of the Cohn Pet Care
Facility nicely aligns with the mission
of the Mercy Work Foundation of
Oklahoma,” adds Kelly Donohue Garlock,
vice president and philanthropic
relationship manager at the U.S. Trust,
Bank of America Private Wealth
Management, the bank now managing
the account. “Financial support for
the many programs of the center is a
wonderful example of how the grantor’s
wishes are being fulfilled today.”

LEARN MORE
For more information about the Cohn Pet
Care Facility, visit cvhs.okstate.edu/cohnpet-care-facility.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 23

COHN PET CARE FACILITY
LEARN MORE
To contribute to the Cohn Pet
Care Facility or learn more about
securing your own pet’s place,
contact Chris Sitz, senior director
of development and team lead with
the OSU Foundation, at 405-3855170 or csitz@osugiving.com.

If something were to happen to you,
who would care for your beloved pets?
Oklahoma State University’s Cohn Pet
Care Facility has the answer.
Opened in 1998, the Cohn Pet Care
Facility offers pet owners a permanent
home for their animals when they are
no longer able to care for them. An
endowment paid upfront provides
shelter, food and veterinary medical
treatment for the life of the pet.
The facility is located on eight acres
north of the OSU Veterinary Medical
Hospital. The 6,600-square-foot
building is equipped with some special
features:
• An indoor cat room, specifically
designed to meet their exercise
needs, with walls of windows that
allow the sun to shine into the room
most of the day.
• An area for veterinary medical
examinations, treatment and
grooming.
• Outdoor runs and individual dog
kennels.
• A visiting area where the animals
can enjoy being with people in an
atmosphere that is
“just like home.”

24 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

“My endowment, which ensures that
my pets will receive excellent care and
companionship for the remainder of
their lives, has given me utmost peace of
mind,” says Jean Williams-Gent, a Cohn
Pet Care Facility client. “After visiting
the shelter, I was inspired to contribute
additional funds to support the facility’s
program, which provides temporary
housing for animals that have been
removed from at-risk situations.”
As a community service, the Cohn
Facility provides temporary housing
for pets in domestic violence cases at
no cost to these pet owners. Research
shows that up to 48 percent of battered
women have delayed their decision to
leave unsafe situations out of fear for the
welfare of pets or livestock. Seventy-one
percent of battered women with pets
affirmed that abusers had threatened,
hurt or killed their animals.
In addition to being a forever home
for pets and a safe haven for animals in
need, the Cohn Pet Care Facility also
serves as a boarding facility for pets as
space allows. The facility is open during
the week with Saturday and Sunday
drop-off hours between 9 a.m. and 9:30
a.m. and pick up between 3 p.m. and 3:30
p.m. For more details on boarding your
pets, call 405-744-3647.

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS DR. SUSAN LITTLE

DUGAT HOLDS COHN FAMILY CHAIR FOR SMALL ANIMALS
Dr. Danielle Dugat holds the Cohn
Family Chair for Small Animals. A
board-certified small animal surgeon at
Oklahoma State University’s Veterinary
Medical Hospital, Dugat has been
a member of the faculty since 2011.
“The Cohn Family Chair opens the
door to expand research, teaching
and educational opportunities in
both small animal medicine and
surgery,” Dugat says. “This chair gives
me some flexibility to use funding
for collaborative research or to help
young interns and residents with
their research goals to fulfill their
requirements to become specialized.”
Dr. Dugat has used funds provided
by the chair to support multiple
collaborative and investigative research
projects, including evaluation of
management of intervertebral disk
disease in dogs, identifying the strength
of orthopedic repairs typically used for

fracture management, evaluation of
clinical techniques to diagnose disease
conditions, and support of publications
within veterinary journals. This chair
allows Dugat to further research
interests in the areas of intervertebral
disk disease, immunomodulatory
treatments for cancer, and various
clinical projects that promote
excellence in patient care through
investigation of new techniques and
methods for treating various diseases
and conditions.
“This chair lets me utilize my
interests and goals to advance clinical
medicine and surgery,” Dugat adds.
“Having the opportunity to be financially
supported through the chair allows
me to collaborate with my colleagues
and provide a service to the veterinary
community thanks to a donor that
believes in the work we provide here
at the university. I am blessed to be

a part of a faculty at the veterinary
center that strives to improve medicine
daily. Without chairs such as the Cohn
Family Chair, some of our research
goals cannot become reality.”
Originally from Huntington Beach,
Calif., Dugat came to OSU in 2003
to begin her pursuit of a career in
veterinary medicine. Following her
undergraduate work, she earned her
DVM degree, and completed a small
animal surgical residency and master’s
degree in Biomedical Sciences all at
OSU. In 2013, she became a boardcertified surgeon and Diplomate in
the American College of Veterinary
Surgeons. Dugat is currently an
assistant professor in the Department of
Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

nvironmental agents topped the
agenda for the 18th Sitlington
Lecture in Toxicology.
Dr. Marion Ehrich’s presentation,
“Organophosphates — Past, Present and
Future Uses and Toxicities,” concluded
the Interdisciplinary Toxicology
Symposium, which included a poster
session, graduate fellow research
presentations and guest speakers,
all focused on substances that affect
humans, animals and the environment.
Ehrich, a historian for the Society
of Toxicology, shared the history of
organophosphates, chemicals that
are usually used as pesticides today.
Researchers began their early studies
on organophosphates, first used as
nerve gases, to discover the amount
that could be used with the minimum
negative effect. Organophosphates

26 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

protect agricultural crops from insects.
Insecticide use is decreasing, and premarket testing helps ensure safe levels
of usage.
Ehrich cautioned that it is
imperative to read substance labels
and follow directions explicitly.
Organophosphates should be stored
properly and empty containers should
be disposed of properly to protect
humans, animals and the environment.
People handling these products should
always wear protective clothing.
Most recently, some researchers
have focused on organophosphates
affecting military personnel and post
traumatic syndromes. Without preexposure information, it is difficult
to determine the levels of exposure
some troops may have suffered during
deployments in the Middle East.

The future of organophosphates will
continue to focus on decreasing the use
of insecticides and how they can help
in medical research. They have been
used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and
other disorders. Ehrich encouraged
those attending her presentation to
continue to search for answers on how
organophosphates can be beneficial.
Ehrich has a bachelor’s degree
in pharmacy and a master’s and a
doctorate in pharmacy/toxicology.
She is a Diplomate of the American
Board of Toxicology and Fellow of the
Academy of Toxicological Sciences and
is a professor at the Virginia-Maryland
College of Veterinary Medicine at
Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech’s
Carilion School of Medicine.

Bryan Brooks, Ph.D., presented “Urbanization,
Environment and Pharmaceuticals: Advancing
Comparative Physiology, Pharmacology and
Toxicology.” He is a distinguished professor in
the Department of Environmental Science and
Institute of Biomedical Studies and director of
Environmental Health Science at Baylor University.
His research team often focuses on urban waters
with topics ranging from water quality and
reuse, environmental, aquatic and comparative
toxicology and pharmacology, and sustainable
molecular design, to developing approaches to
define risks of contaminants of historical and
emerging concern, and the ecology and toxicology
of harmful algae blooms.
Nancy Denslow, Ph.D., presented “Lipidomics:
Another OMIC Technology.” She is a professor in
the Department of Physiological Sciences and
Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology
at the University of Florida. Her work focuses on
reproductive toxicology and endocrine disruption
in non-model species, pioneering the use of
omics technologies for non-model species, and
adapting skills used for assessing toxicant effects
on human health.

Interdisciplinary Toxicology
Symposium
The Interdisciplinary Toxicology Symposium
provides an opportunity for the exchange of
information among students and interdisciplinary
faculty and exposure to experiences of leading
scientists. Carey Pope, Ph.D., is director of the
Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, Regents
Professor and the Sitlington Chair in Toxicology
in the Department of Physiological Sciences at
OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 27

From left at the CVHS Fall Conference: Drs. Thomas Loafmann,
class of 1963 representative; Stephen Ettinger, Class of 1963 Distinguished
Lecturer; and Carlos Risco, dean of the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

28 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS GARY LAWSON

(

“Recognizing that we share the same pathologies, One Medicine
should advance knowledge for all species. Research for human
medicine, veterinary medicine and zoological medicine can
be enhanced through the recognition of One Medicine.”

tephen Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM
and Cardiology), presented “One Health”
as the keynote Class of 1963 Distinguished
Lecture. Ettinger brought attendees through the
history of human medicine including the birth
of meat inspection, how blood flows, and the first
anesthesia used. He talked about the history
of veterinary education and the important role
that land grant institutions played in separating
veterinary medicine from the centers of medical
education.
“Veterinary medicine became ensconced in
the rural United States while human medicine
continued as part of the urban fabric in the
U.S.,” Ettinger said. “As a result, funding to the
veterinary schools came as agriculture and
Departments of Health while human medicine
was directed more toward delivery of medical
care and disease research. This was the ultimate
casualty of the land-grant mission to the
veterinary colleges.”
Ettinger went on to say that today the
veterinarian has many roles — protecting
agriculture from infectious diseases, using
diagnostic labs to conduct surveillance and virus
isolation, protecting wildlife populations to
ensure the health of our ecosystems, and more.

“Recognizing that we share the same
pathologies, One Medicine should advance
knowledge for all species,” Ettinger continued.
“Research for human medicine, veterinary
medicine and zoological medicine can be enhanced
through the recognition of One Medicine.”
Ettinger believes veterinarians will play a key
role in such developing areas as biofarming, genetic
engineering, zoonotic disease and public health,
and stem cell therapies.
“In the 21st century, medicine will focus
on genomics, comparative genetics, animal
(comparative) cancer centers, molecular biology,
and renewed emphasis on large animals,” he said.
Ettinger earned his DVM degree from Cornell
University in 1964. He was instrumental in the
founding and development of the American College
of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) as one
of the initial group of charter members. He is a
diplomate of the ACVIM in both small animal
internal medicine and in cardiology.

he Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences’ groundbreaking ceremony for
a new classroom building broke some
expectations. After all, not many dogs participate
in such events.
Natty, a bullmastiff owned by Dr. Dianne
McFarlane, pulled a cart holding the ceremonial
shovels to deliver the tools to the individuals using
them.
The late November ceremony marked progress
toward enhancing the education of Oklahoma
State veterinary students and exceeding their
expectations.
“With the addition of this classroom, the CVHS
will continue to be the destination for students who
want to receive a high quality veterinary medical
education as well as those seeking continuing
education,” said Dr. Carlos Risco, CVHS dean. “We
are grateful for the financial support of President
(Burns) Hargis and Joe Weaver, senior vice
president; alumni and friends who have made early
commitments toward this project.

“It is our intention to prominently honor the
legacy of Dr. Roger Panciera (’53), professor
emeritus and a world-renowned veterinary
pathologist, in this new classroom building. Dr.
Panciera has touched the lives of generations of
veterinary students and influenced the careers of
many more,” he continued.
“We thank faculty and staff for their
involvement in bringing this building to fruition. In
particular, the Planning Committee — Drs. Margi
Gilmour, Martin Furr, Shane Lyon, Jerry Ritchey
and Chris Ross and Mr. Jim Hargrave, facilities
manager. And thank you to the team from longrange planning. We could not have come this far
without your help.”
Provost Gary Sandefur, Senior Vice President
Joe Weaver, Dr. Gilmour, and class of 2022
representatives Cody Blalock and Courtney
Longhouse joined Dr. Risco in putting a shovel in
the ground and turning over the soil to mark the
beginning of this impactful project.
To support the future of veterinary medicine
through this project or any other, contact Chris Sitz,
senior director of development and CVHS team
lead with the OSU Foundation, at 405-385-5170 or
csitz@osugiving.com.

Isaiah (Josh) Fidler, DVM, Ph.D., FACCR, was honored
by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
with the 12th Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and
Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research. Fidler,
a fellow of the AACR Academy, is a professor emeritus
in cancer biology and neurosurgery at the University of
Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
This award recognizes champions of cancer research
whose leadership and extraordinary achievements have
had a major impact on the field. Dr. Fidler received his
DVM from Oklahoma State University in 1963.

The 2017 issue of Vet
Cetera earned the coveted
Upper Case Award (first place
in printed publications) at
the Public Relations Society
of America Oklahoma City
Chapter’s 2018 Upper Case
Awards ceremony.

Oklahoma State University

Center for Veterinary Health Sciences

Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-2011

The official magazine of the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University
2017

P A I D
PER MIT NO. 191

T H E V E T M E D M AG A ZI N E

Jesse Jenny (’19) received
the 2018 Dr. Jack Walther
Leadership Award. This annual
award recognizes veterinary
students who portray leadership
Celebrating
Our Past,service
and promote
a lifelong
Full Steam Into Our Future
to the profession.
Each recipient receives
a $1,000 cash award,
complimentary registration,
lodging, airfare and a daily
stipend to attend the Western
Veterinary Conference.

NON-PR OFIT
OR GA NIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
STILLWATER , OK

C E T E R A

308 McElroy Hall

V E T

Walther Award
goes to Jesse Jenny

70 Y E A R S YO U N G

DOUBLE
THE
TROUBLE

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2018.
Since its doors opened March 1, 1948, the center has graduated
more than 3,900 career-ready veterinarians. These men and
women have gone on to do great things to improve the lives of
animals and humans alike.

Yes, this precious
baby mule has a
dark-coated twin.
Page 13

To scroll down memory lane and see the many
accomplishments achieved through the years, visit
timeline.okstate.edu/events/cvhs.

OSU marks 35 years
of AAHA accreditation
In 1983, Oklahoma State University’s
Veterinary Medical Hospital joined a
league of its own by becoming accredited
by the American Animal Hospital
Association. AAHA is the only institution
that accredits companion veterinary
hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.
“We’re proud of the commitment
to excellence our clinicians, staff and
veterinary students have exhibited over
the last 35 years, which helps us earn that
accreditation,” said Dr. Martin Furr, then
interim hospital director. “Our clients and
referring veterinarians can depend on us
to continue to provide the best possible
veterinary medical care for our patients
and to maintain our high standards of care.”

OADDL earns full accreditation
The Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory recently received
full accreditation by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory
Diagnosticians (AAVLD). This makes Oklahoma one of 33 U.S. states with an
AAVLD-accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

CVHS Foundation
leader promoted
Chris Sitz, senior director of
development at the OSU Foundation, has
been promoted to CVHS team lead. She
joined the OSU Foundation in 2017 and
served the CVHS with Heidi Griswold,
who was the team lead. Griswold will
continue as the team lead for DASNR.

Honoring Veterans
The Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences welcomed retired Army Col.
Gary White, DVM (’68), who presented
“The 100th Anniversary of the Armistice”
in honor of American soldiers, including
military veterinarians.
Dr. White noted OSU’s legacy of
veterinarians serving in the military.
“When I retired in 2004, Oklahoma State
was tied with Kansas State for second
in having the most veterinarians in the
Veterinary Corps,” he said.
He covered the history of Veterans
Day, from its origins as Armistice
Day in the U.S. to honor the veterans
of World War I — and its continuing
impact in the world.
“I was in the United Kingdom in 1998
leaving London on November 11,” White
recalled. “I was at Gatwick Airport and
a couple minutes before 11, they made
an announcement that at 11 o’clock,
there would be a minute of silence and
all operations, I think other than the
airplanes landing and taking off, would
cease. I was just ready to walk through
what was security at that time, and sure

Student Military
Eight veterinary students
have served in or are
members of the U.S. military.
They are:

enough, everything stopped. A minute
of silence as busy as an airport is.”
“Remembrance Day, Armistice Day,
or as we call it in the United States,
Veterans Day, is a time that we honor
those who have served our country
and continue to serve our country,” he
concluded. “We are very, very thankful
for that. I would add that I am very
thankful that this institution saw fit
to put this court right outside the
northeast corner of this building. I think
it says a lot for this institution.”
The Military Veterinarian Honor
Court, located outside the northeast
corner of McElroy Hall, was dedicated
in 2009. One brick bears a Gold Star
in memory of Lt. Col. Daniel Holland,
DVM (’88), who was killed during
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bricks
may be purchased in honor of or in
memory of any military veterinarian by
contacting the Advancement Office at
405-744-5630.

elanie Boileau, DVM, MS,
DACVIM, received the 2018
Regents Distinguished
Teaching Award for OSU’s Center for
Veterinary Health Sciences.
“I came to Oklahoma State in 2001
helping to teach students throughout
my food animal medicine residency
program, which was a three-year
program,” said Dr. Boileau, associate
professor and section chief of Food
Animal Medicine and Surgery. “I left
for a year when I went to Kansas State
University to teach and came back as
faculty in 2005. So it’s been 16 years or
so altogether at OSU. Yes, I just bleed
orange.”
Boileau said she appreciated the
prestigious award: “I feel very honored
and extremely privileged to have
received the Regents Distinguished
Teaching Award. I am delighted to see
my dedication and commitment to
teaching being recognized. This is just
humbling.”
While she has been teaching for
many years, she knew she wanted to be a
veterinarian at a much younger age.
“I decided to become a veterinarian
when I was about 10 years old,” she
recalled. “I grew up on a dairy farm
near Sainte-Cecile-de-Milton, a small
town about an hour east of Montreal
in Quebec, Canada. We had a small
Holstein herd of about 60 head. I
remember seeing one of my newborn
heifer calves bleeding profusely from
her umbilical cord. I ran to the house
frantically trying to find a little rope to
tie and stop the bleeding, which I did.

34 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

The calf did well, and that made me so
happy! And that was pretty much the
beginning of my journey.”
Boileau earned her DVM degree
from Montreal University in Quebec.
She also earned a master’s degree in
veterinary biomedical sciences from
Oklahoma State University during her
residency program. She is a diplomate
of the American College of Veterinary
Internal Medicine.
“Over the last several years, I feel that
my greatest accomplishment has been
my growth as a veterinary educator,”
she continued. “I’ve really tried to
broaden my teaching toolbox every year
in various ways, and I think it has paid
off. What I like most about teaching is
when I see either a student, intern or
resident who is able to do a procedure or
to apply a concept to a case from what
I have taught them. When I see that,
that’s just a treat for me. Every time.
“I hope to be remembered for my
passion, enthusiasm and commitment
for teaching food animal medicine.
Also, I hope to be remembered for my
teamwork mentality, and for promoting
student involvement in patient care and
management.”
And what advice does she offer to
up-and-coming faculty members?
“My advice to any young faculty
member would be to find a mentor that
they can run things by. I would also
suggest to engage in teaching related
activities, conferences or courses to
invest and broaden their respective
teaching toolbox.”

While Boileau has witnessed many
successes and helped many students
and developing veterinarians grow, one
particular case comes to mind when
asked if she has a favorite memory.
“Probably my favorite memory was
a student interested in mixed animal
practice who was very shy and very
intimidated by the size of the cattle,
the gate system and chutes she had to
work with. With some teaching and
guidance, by the time the third week
of the rotation was over, she was like,
‘Yeah, let’s do this.’ She gained so much
confidence that she blossomed into a
skilled, go-getter student!”
To be eligible for the Regents
Distinguished Teaching Award, a fulltime faculty member must have shown
unusually significant and meritorious
achievement in the instruction
of students (graduate and/or
undergraduate) for a significant number
of years. One annual award is given per
college (except for Arts and Sciences
where two awards are given) at $2,000
each plus appropriate benefits. All
applications are reviewed and selected
by a committee and approved by the
OSU Board of Regents.

Learn More
See Dr. Melanie Boileau discuss
this honor: okla.st/boileau

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTO GARY LAWSON

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 35

Regents Distinguished
Researcher
Ranjan is changing lives, one project at a time

D

r. Ashish Ranjan is the 2018 Regents
Distinguished Research Award recipient
at OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences. He and his team conduct cutting-edge
research centered on the use of device-directed
nanomedicines to help improve the lives of animals
and humans.
“Humans and animals alike suffer from cancer,”
said Ranjan. “Some of my own relatives and friends
have been affected with this disease. Current
therapies available in the veterinary or human
settings are associated with significant side effects
and do not really result in high survival rates in
patients. Veterinary cancers resemble human
diseases in many ways. So I thought doing cancer
research can allow me to not only figure out new
therapies for our vet patients but can also help us
translate some of those ideas for human treatment.”
Ranjan leads the Nanomedicine and Targeted
Therapy Laboratory. He is an associate professor in
the Department of Physiological Sciences and the
Kerr Endowed Chair. He earned his BVSc degree
(DVM equivalent) from Madras Veterinary College
in Chennai, India, and earned a Ph.D. in biomedical
and veterinary sciences from Virginia Tech.
“We call ourselves a device-directed lab that
performs bench-to-bedside research,” he explained.
“This means that whatever we are trying to do in
the lab, we try to shorten the translational to the
patients — in particular, veterinary patients. We
are doing a variety of projects that are broadly
focused on two areas: the first being cancer and the
second being chronic infectious diseases such as
non-healing wounds.
“Most of those projects have two elements.
One is the nanoparticle that carries drug pillows
and the other is the device that provides image
guidance for these therapies. By putting the drugs
inside a nanoparticle, we reduce toxicities of the
drugs and enhance their delivery to a region of
interest in a very targeted manner. For example, if a
patient is suffering from a non-healing wound, the
nanoparticle is targeted to only go to the site where
we want it to go. The device can then be utilized to

36 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

release the pillow with a stimuli (e.g. heat), making
it highly targeted and specific in nature.”
Ranjan says he is honored to receive the
Regents Distinguished Research Award.
“It means a lot to me, to my lab, and everyone
who is involved in these projects,” he continued.
“It’s a recognition of our effort and also an
encouragement to do good science that benefits
our patients. We are very thankful to the selection
committee and to Oklahoma State University for
recognizing us for our ongoing research efforts.”
Ranjan also received a Distinguished Early
Career Faculty Award. It comes with a $2,000
stipend and recognizes faculty members who were
awarded tenure within the past three years and
have demonstrated strong potential for continued
contributions to the university and their profession
in instruction, research and creative activity and/
or extension/outreach.
Ranjan grew up in the eastern part of India,
close to Calcutta. His family had all kinds of
large and small animals and would frequent the
veterinary hospital to get their pets treated.
“Since the time I was a kid, I always had a love
of animals, and becoming a veterinarian came
naturally,” he said. “While I was in vet school, I
would often come across diseases that had a poor
prognosis and patients didn’t have many options.
There was always this need for new therapeutics
that could help address some of those disease
issues. So I thought pursuing a career that was
more than conventional medicine, such as highend research, would allow me to discover new
drugs and new therapeutics to help our patient
population.”
Today, he and his team are achieving some
interesting outcomes from the research in the lab.
“We have had some early successes with what
we are doing in the lab. This gives us hope that our
candidate drug agents may help bridge the gap from
bench to bedside. We are encouraged by our early
success and feasibility demonstrations and are
looking forward to studying the therapeutics in
clinical settings.”

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS GARY LAWSON

(

“It means a lot to me, to my lab, and everyone
who is involved in these projects.”
— DR. ASHISH RANJAN

SEE MORE
See why Dr. Ashish Ranjan
received this honor: okla.st/ranjan

The center’s Dr. Shane Lyon, DVM,
DACVIM (SAIM), assistant professor
of small animal internal medicine in
the Department of Veterinary Clinical
Sciences, also received an Advising
Excellence Award at the convocation.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 37

NEW FACES

New Faculty
Fernando Vicosa Bauermann, DVM,
MSc, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of
virology in the Department of Veterinary
Pathobiology. Originally from Concordia
in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, he
earned his DVM, MSc and Ph.D. from the
Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil.
His research interests include pathogenesis
of viral agents, with special emphasis on
viruses involved in the bovine respiratory
disease complex; virus-host interactions;
and characterization of new/emerging viral
pathogens.

Dr. Fernando Bauermann

Dr. Nicola Di Girolamo

Dr. Bauermann was a visiting scientist at the
USDA’s Ruminant Diseases and Immunology
unit in Ames, Iowa, for five years. He
worked with the genetic and antigenic
characterization of emerging pestiviruses
in cattle, especially HoBi-like viruses. He
later worked at the Virology Lab at the
Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic
Laboratory at South Dakota State University
for two years. There, he focused on the
diagnostic of swine viral diseases and
research on survivability of viral pathogens
in feed ingredients and pathogenesis of
Seneca Valley virus and Porcine epidemic
diarrhea virus in swine.
Nicola Di Girolamo, DMV, MSc (EBHC), GP
Cert (ExAP), PhD, DECZM (Herp), is an
associate professor of zoological medicine
in the Department of Veterinary Clinical
Sciences. Originally from Rome, he earned
his DMV (DVM equivalent) and a Ph.D. in
veterinary sciences from the University
of Bologna in Italy. Di Girolamo is also
a diplomate of the European College of
Zoological Medicine (Herpetology). His
research interests range from diagnostic
techniques in exotics to the application of
evidence-based practice and meta-research
in veterinary medicine.

use a combination of medical and surgical
skills to help a wide variety of species.
Erik Clary, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, is an
associate professor of small animal
surgery and bioethics in the Department
of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Originally
from Imperial, California, he earned his DVM
and master’s degrees from Kansas State
University. After completing an internship
at the University of Georgia and a residency
at North Carolina State University, he was
awarded diplomate status in the American
College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Post-residency, Clary landed at Duke
University Medical Center as a researcher
focusing on pre-clinical development
of minimally invasive surgical methods
and technologies with human patients
in view. He also advocated strongly for
the welfare of research animals, helping
to identify inanimate alternatives, less
invasive procedures and better analgesic
protocols. More recently, Clary has pursued
graduate studies in ethics, culminating in his
doctorate. His field of expertise is bioethics,
and he intends to focus his research on
issues at the nexus of human and animal
with particular emphasis on veterinary
medical ethics and the animal rights-welfare
debate.

Dr. Di Girolamo comes to OSU from the Tai
Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital in Sha
Tin, Hong Kong.

Dr. Katelyn Fentiman

38 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

Katelyn Fentiman, MS, DVM, DACVO, is an
assistant professor of ophthalmology in the
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
at OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital.
Originally from Monument, Colorado, she
earned her master’s degree from Colorado
State University and her DVM degree from
Kansas State University. She is a diplomate
of the American College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists. Fentiman’s research
interests include ocular pharmacology and
glaucoma treatment. She enjoys the practice
of ophthalmology because it allows her to

Dr. Erik Clary

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS PHIL SHOCKLEY AND GARY LAWSON

Meredyth Jones, DVM, MS, DACVIM-LA ,
is an associate professor of food animal
medicine and surgery in the Department of
Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Originally from
Brandenburg, Ketucky, she earned her DVM
and master’s degrees from OSU in 2002
and 2006 respectively. She is a diplomate of
the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine — Large Animal. Jones’ research
interests include small ruminant urolithiasis,
beef cattle lameness and student learning
methods. She traveled around the
Mongolian Desert for two weeks to teach
veterinarians camel medicine skills.

Dr. Meredyth Jones

Craig Miller, DVM, PhD, DACVP, is an
anatomic pathology assistant professor in
the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology.
Originally from Tucson, Arizona, he earned
his DVM and Ph.D. degrees from Colorado
State University. A diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Pathologists,
Miller's research interests focus on animal
models of HIV pathogenesis and virology.
Jeff Studer, DVM, DACVO, is the director of
the Veterinary Medical Hospital and clinical
assistant professor in the Department of
Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Originally
from Wichita Falls, Texas, Studer earned
his DVM degree at Oklahoma State
University in 2006. He became a diplomate
of the American College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists in 2011. Studer’s focus as
hospital director is enhancing the hospital
experience for both the client and the
referring veterinarian.

Dr. Craig Miller

Dr. Studer comes to OSU from BluePearl
Veterinary Partners in Oklahoma City, where
he served as medical director and veterinary
ophthalmologist. Prior to that, he spent five
years as a veterinary ophthalmologist at the
Animal Ophthalmology Clinic in Dallas.

Dr. Brandon Raczkoski

New Staff
Brandon Raczkoski, MS, Ph.D. , is the
curriculum and assessment manager in the
dean's office. Originally from Fort Pierce,
Florida, Raczkoski earned a bachelor’s
degree in forest resources and conservation
with a minor in watershed science and
management from the University of Florida.
He continued his education at OSU, earning
a master’s in international agriculture
specializing in agribusiness and international
trade, a doctorate in agricultural education
with a focus in research and evaluation, and
a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship.
His research interests focus on how people
make decisions, specifically the role
perceived costs play in the decision making
process.

Dr. Jeff Studer

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 39

PROMOTIONS

Faculty Promotions
Joao Brandao, DVM, MS, DECZM (Avian),
transferred from clinical track to assistant
professor in the Department of Veterinary
Clinical Sciences. Brandao leads the avian,
exotics and zoo medicine service at the
Veterinary Medical Hospital. In 2018,
he became a diplomate of the European
College of Zoological Medicine (Avian).
Brandao’s research interests include
endocrinology, coagulation and analgesia.
Margi Gilmour, DVM, DACVO, was appointed
associate dean of academic affairs for the
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
She reports to and advises the dean,
has leadership and administrative
responsibilities for professional student
recruitment, the center’s admissions program,
professional curriculum, student retention
and all professional student affairs. Gilmour’s
vision includes student wellness, diversity and
inclusion, innovative educational programs and
developing new teaching initiatives.

Joao Brandao

Margi Gilmour

Chaoqun Huang

Todd Jackson

Theresa Rizzi

Mike J. Schoonover

Chaoqun Huang, MD, Ph.D., promoted from
research assistant professor to research
associate professor in the Department of
Physiological Sciences. His research interests
include studying the roles that long noncoding RNA and microRNA play in idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis.
Todd Jackson, DVM, DACLAM, promoted from
associate professor to clinical professor in the
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology.
He is also the university attending veterinarian
and director of Animal Resources. Jackson’s
research interests include laboratory animal
and comparative medicine.
Theresa Rizzi, DVM, DACVP (Clinical
Pathology), promoted from clinical associate
professor to clinical professor in the Department
of Veterinary Pathobiology. Rizzi has teaching
responsibilities in all four years of the veterinary
curriculum in addition to pathology service
duty in the Veterinary Medical Hospital. She
participates in collaborative research projects
with clinical faculty as well as in multiinstitutional projects.
Mike J. Schoonover, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA,
DACVSMR, promoted from assistant professor
to associate professor of equine surgery
(with tenure) in the Department of Veterinary
Clinical Sciences. He is a diplomate of both the
American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Large
Animal Specialty) and the American College of
Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
(Equine Specialty). Schoonover’s research
interests are in equine regional limb perfusion
techniques, objective lameness evaluation
modalities, and general equine sports medicine
and surgery.

40 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

RETIREMENTS

32 Years Later...
Eberle retires from CVHS
Richard Eberle, Ph.D., launched his 32-year career at
Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences in 1986. During his tenure, he served in the
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology as a professor
since 1995; and for five years, he was the center’s
associate dean for research. He retired in 2018.
As associate dean for research, Eberle initiated two
National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant
programs — one for summer research training of
minority high school students and one for summer
research training for veterinary students. The latter is
still active today and provides a meaningful avenue for
veterinary students seeking experience in biomedical
research.
Eberle’s primary research focus was herpesviruses
of primates with additional interest in equine and
bovine respiratory viral infections. He is internationally
recognized as a simian herpesvirus expert, working to
elucidate the molecular mechanisms of neurovirulence
of herpesviruses in cross-species infections. This
work included pathogenesis and treatment of B virus
infections in humans, a significant occupational health
hazard for veterinary and laboratory animal workers. In
collaboration with the University of Oklahoma Health
Sciences Center, he was instrumental in developing the
only existing breeding colony specific-pathogen-free
baboons for use in biomedical research. For more than
30 years, Eberle consistently maintained NIH funding.
Within the last decade alone, he brought in nearly $21.2
million in research grants.

Throughout his career, Eberle served on national
committees including the International Committee
on Taxonomy of Viruses and numerous NIH review
committees, including the National Center for Research
Resources’ standing study section as well as a number of
special emphasis review panels, training grant programs
and construction grant programs. He also participated
on NIH site visit review committees for most of the NIHsupported National Primate Research Centers.
Under his tutelage, many young researchers have gone
on to great success. One postdoctoral fellow is an NIHfunded investigator; another holds a faculty position at a
veterinary college. One of his graduate students received
a Howard Hughes Fellowship and is now a professor at
the center; another is the biosecurity/biosafety officer at
North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health.
In recognition of his work, Eberle received the Zoetis
Research Award in 1990 and in 2006. In 2016, he
received the Regents Distinguished Research Award.
“Richard has been an outstanding faculty member,
colleague, and friend of many. He will be sorely
missed,” said Jerry Ritchey, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP and
head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology.
“Richard was selfless. He was very successful in his own
research; however, he never turned down any request
or opportunity to help others. He was instrumental to
any research success that I had early in my career. Many
others can say the same thing. He made us all better.”

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 41

RETIREMENTS

Lab manager Darla Black
“We are not put on this earth for ourselves,
but are placed here for each other. If you are
always there for others, then in time of need,
someone will be there for you.” — Jeff Warner
After more than 35 years with the Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences, Darla Black is ready to move on.
The laboratory manager, who cites the opening quote as
her lifelong inspiration, hopes to be remembered as an
ethical researcher who was willing to help or collaborate
with other scientists as needed.
Dr. Jerry Ritchey, head of the Department of Veterinary
Pathobiology, confirms she has done just that.
“Darla is smart, conscientious, and dedicated,” said
Ritchey. “She has provided more than just ‘technical’
help to Dr. Richard Eberle’s program, she has provided
an intellectual contribution to Richard and others. Darla
helps anybody and everybody. She is kind, generous,
and giving. This extrapolates to her work in the
community as a master gardener, with elderly folks at
Golden Oaks, and decades of service and commitment to
the Girl Scouts of America. There will definitely be a void
when she is not here. Darla’s last official day was Monday,
July 2. Veterinary Pathobiology will forever refer to that
date as ‘Black Monday’.”
Black worked at the Oklahoma Animal Disease
Diagnostic Laboratory for five years before moving to
the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, where she
spent the next 30-plus years.

42 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

She played a role in developing several scientific
advances but does not consider that her greatest
accomplishment.
“I believe being a reliable, focused researcher and a
mentor to a number of students over the past 35-plus
years is much more significant,” she said.
Still, some memories rooted in science do stand out.
“I remember the day I first saw fluorescence in a cell line
that I engineered to ‘glow’ only when it was infected with
a Herpesvirus,” recalled Black. “I ran into the hall looking
for anyone I could drag into the lab to see this success.
Today, this is old technology; but at that time, it was
monumental!”
Black earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies
with a minor in biology from Oklahoma State University.
She went on to pursue graduate work in microbiology
and took Dr. Jean d’Offay’s virology class to continue
learning in order to do her job better. She is a licensed
practical nurse and lives just north of Stillwater, Okla.
“I plan to continue my nursing career part-time and to
grow our N40 Berries U-Pick business,” Black said. “I
also want to spend more time with my children and
grandchildren. I want to enjoy life to the fullest! I have
always said that when there came a Sunday night that I
did not want to go to work on Monday morning, it was
time to do something different. My priorities in life have
shifted, and it’s time to pursue different avenues.”

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS P H I L S H O C K L E Y

Anesthesiologist
Dr. Meg Gross
For the past 12 years, Dr. Meg Gross, a clinical professor
in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, has led
the anesthesia team at OSU’s Boren Veterinary Medical
Hospital. She earned her DVM degree from Oklahoma
State University in 1985 and always dreamed to return as
a faculty member.
“My favorite memory of working here will be the
excitement, enthusiasm and dedication of the students,
faculty and staff as they worked in a very mentally and
physically challenging environment,” Gross said. “They
knew they were doing something important with the
common goal of providing quality care for their patients
and the people who love them.”
She considers her greatest accomplishment to be
achieving full professor status while working within a
clinical appointment as opposed to the more traditional
tenure-track appointment.
“I would like to be remembered as a clinician who worked
hard to provide a quality education for our students
and quality anesthesia for our patients,” she added. “My
plans for retirement include the occasional locum at OSU
when needed, returning to school to take courses in
interior design, and spending lots of time with my fourfooted children. It was always my dream to return to OSU
as a faculty member in the Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences, and these past years have seen the fulfillment
of that dream. My retirement is not without some regret.
I will especially miss the faculty, staff and students at the
Veterinary Medical Hospital. I wish them all well in the
years to come.”
“Dr. Meg Gross has been a pillar in the Boren Veterinary
Medical Hospital,” said Dr. Dan Burba, interim head of
the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. “For the
past 12 years, she has maintained the anesthesia service
in the hospital despite being the only anesthesiologist
on several episodes. I want to commend her for her
dedication to the program, the Veterinary Clinical
Sciences team and the many students she helped
transform into competent veterinarians. Dr. Gross has
given a lot to keep our mission moving forward and I
personally give her my gratitude for her devoted service.
On behalf of the faculty of Veterinary Clinical Sciences,
we wish her a great retirement.”

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 43

CONGRAT
CLASS OF 2018

New CVHS Dean Dr. Carlos Risco
spoke at his first CVHS hooding
ceremony.

44 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

PHOTOS GENESEE PHOTO

ULATIONS
Dr. Greg Campbell (OSU Vet Med '85)
has been playing the bagpipes at the
CVHS hooding ceremony for 23 years.

The 80 members of the Center for
Veterinary Health Sciences' Class of
2018 at Oklahoma State University
graduated on May 11.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 45

CLASS NEWS

Moving to Clinics

Class of 2019 is ready to take on fourth-year challenges

WHO

More than 700 students applied for the
84 seats the class of 2019 has occupied
for the last three years.

Like for many, graduation was a family affair for
Kaitlyn Belanger, CVA, DVM, of Weatherford,
Oklahoma, who earned her DVM degree in May
2018. On hand to celebrate the occasion and
hood Belanger was her aunt, Michelle Belanger
Quinn, DVM, CCRT (OSU DVM ’86).
“I knew as a young child that I wanted to be a
veterinarian, but it became more realistic at age
15 when I started working with Dr. Mark Hoffman
(OSU DVM ’88) at his clinic, the Animal Hospital of
Weatherford,” Belanger said. “My Aunt Chelly and
Uncle Joe (OSU DVM ’86), my family, and everyone
from the clinic influenced my decision.”
Drs. Joe and Chelly Quinn own and operate
Town East-Galloway Animal Clinic in Mesquite,
Texas, a Dallas suburb. Kaitlyn spent several
summers and school breaks working there.
“Kaitlyn is a very determined young lady and an
extremely hard worker. Exhibit A: She achieved her
CVA (certified veterinary acupuncturist) during
the fall of her fourth year of veterinary college,”
Chelly Quinn said. “She is a quick study. She
comprehends subjects and immediately applies
them. She is very personable and truly cares about
not only the pets, but the people around her. Being
there to hood Kaitlyn and share in this special
moment was priceless. I can only hope that Joe and
I have provided her with positive role models as she
joins this wonderful profession.”
“My Aunt Chelly has always challenged me in
my veterinary education,” Belanger said. “She is
great at staying up to date and has shown me how
important it is to never stop actively learning.
Working at their clinic allowed me to improve
my clinical skills and learn skills that can’t
effectively be taught in school like dealing with
pharmaceutical companies, practice management
skills, etc. To have her hood me meant more than
words can express.”

48 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

Belanger chose Oklahoma State
University for her veterinary degree in
part because of the small class size here.
“OSU has one of the smaller
veterinary classes, which I greatly
appreciated,” Belanger said. “We
became very close and very much like
a family. And the faculty care so much about the
students and go above and beyond to help us. They
also did a great job at making me feel more like a
colleague and less like a student in my clinical year,
which I think started to make the transition from
student to doctor smoother.”
Belanger has many cherished memories from
her time in veterinary college. She calls the 2016
SAVMA Symposium at Iowa State with some of her
best friends her top memory.
As she graduates, Belanger offered this advice to
those considering a career in veterinary medicine:
“Do your research — expense, expected income,
compare schools, etc. Also, never let anyone
discourage you from this wonderful profession if
you are passionate about animals and people.”
“Trust yourself and the process that brought
you to veterinary college,” added Chelly Quinn.
“Know that Oklahoma State Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences has done its job. You are ready to
do what you dreamed of — helping people care for
animals. It will not be without hiccups, and it won’t
be perfect, as you won’t cure them all. You may
actually learn more from your failures than your
successes. Surround yourself with good people, ask
for advice from them frequently and never be afraid
to say, ‘I’m not certain but let me do some checking
and get back with you.’ Do the best you know how to
and are allowed to do by the client and you will rest
well at night.”
Following graduation, Dr. Kaitlyn Belanger
joined a small animal general veterinary practice
in Dallas.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never let anyone discourage you from
this wonderful profession if you are
passionate about animals and people.â&#x20AC;?

)

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 49

Completing a Path

Holmes says stepfather ‘guided me throughout my education’

Robert Holmes of Harrison, Arkansas, was 13 when his
mother married Dr. Joe Melton, the man who helped
shape Holmes into the veterinarian he is today. When
Holmes earned his DVM degree from Oklahoma State
University on May 11, Melton hooded him during the
traditional ceremony in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
“He sort of guided me throughout my education,”
Holmes said of Melton. “He was the president of
the school board when I graduated high school, so
he handed me my diploma. He coated me for my
clinical year of veterinary college, and having him
hood me completed the path.”
For the past 41 years, Melton (OSU DVM ’76)
has owned the Harrison Animal Clinic PLLC, a
mixed animal practice in Harrison. Holmes
worked for his stepfather on numerous occasions,
including an externship during his fourth and final
year of veterinary college.
“I grew up around my stepdad’s practice,”
Holmes said. “Painting corral fence in the summer
and then graduating to kennel tech. He was
the physical side of my education. I would go to
Stillwater and sit in lectures or participate in labs
and learn about diseases, etc. Then I would go home
and work at the clinic and be able to see in front of
me what I had learned at school.”

50 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

“Knowing that he has
chosen veterinary medicine
as a career is both flattering
and humbling,” Melton said.
“It reminds us that someone is watching, and we
have an obligation to live our lives and conduct
our practices in such a manner as to be a guide to
someone else. Robert is a very intelligent young
man with good people skills and a passion for
veterinary medicine. He will make an excellent
veterinarian, and I am very excited that Robert has
agreed to join our practice.”
Holmes chose Oklahoma State University
for his DVM degree because it was close to home,
affordable and had a very good large animal focus.
Looking back, he reflected on his experience: “I
was blessed to be able to come here and make some
really good friends.”
And he offers some advice for future students:
“If you are considering a career in veterinary
medicine, I would suggest shadowing as many
different types of veterinarians as you can. There
is such a large difference between clinics in the
same field, not to mention the many different
specialties, corporate and government-based
careers. My wife, Kelsey, and I are moving home to
Harrison so I can, as my stepfather says, ‘learn the
art of veterinary medicine.’”

Robert Holmes (left) and
Dr. Joe Melton.

(

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was blessed to be able to come here and
make some really good friends.â&#x20AC;?

)

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 51

An Early Start

Ellen Jackson began working on her DVM at age 17

Not many students begin their college careers
at 17. Even fewer start graduate school at that
tender age. But Ellen Jackson did.

Since OSU doesn’t have a public
health Ph.D. program, if I could
find another willing school, I could
Jackson, who was homeschooled near Evansville,
do the Ph.D. there and continue as
a dual degree student in the class
Indiana, is probably the youngest student ever
of 2018.”
admitted to Oklahoma State University’s Center
The University of Oklahoma’s
College of Public Health has such
for Veterinary Health Sciences.
a program. Ellen spent her second
year earning a Master’s of Public
A few years later with some time away from
Health in epidemiology, a prerequisite for OU’s
the veterinary curriculum to pursue a dual degree,
epidemiology Ph.D. program.
she earned her DVM degree in May. Her father,
“The master’s program ended with a practicum
Dr. Todd Jackson, director of animal resources,
project exploring causal factors in human
university attending veterinarian and clinical
cysticercosis caused by the tapeworm Taenia
professor of veterinary pathobiology at Oklahoma
solium. I’ve continued that project through the last
State University, hooded her.
two years of veterinary college and look forward
“It was a huge honor and blessing to be the
to continuing my research as a Ph.D. student this
person to officially convert Ellen from being ‘Miss
summer at the University of Oklahoma Health
Jackson’ to ‘Dr. Jackson.’ I’m a proud parent to have
Sciences Center,” she added.
a second-generation veterinarian in the family,”
Throughout her college years, Ellen has
Todd Jackson said.
sometimes worked alongside her father.
Ellen decided early on that she wanted be a
“Ellen has worked with me occasionally on
veterinarian.
laboratory animal cases, and we have worked
“One of my earliest memories is being excited
through many health issues on our own dogs,” Todd
whenever my preschool pretend job corner rotated
Jackson said. “Most people think her strength is her
onto doctor or veterinarian,” she recalled.
brain power, but the best part of Ellen is her inner
Ellen chose Oklahoma State University for
spirit. Sure, she is super smart but more importantly
her DVM degree because by then her family had
she is kind, gentle, hard-working, dedicated and
moved to Stillwater, and it was her in-state school.
knows how to balance work, play and rest.”
She took some time away from the veterinary
As Ellen prepared to graduate, she offered this
curriculum to work on a dual degree.
advice to others considering a career in veterinary
“I spent the first year continuing research I’d
medicine.
done in previous summers on diabetes and heart
“Keep an open mind,” she said. “It takes a lot
disease,” she explained. “I knew I wanted to go
of effort to get into and stay in veterinary school.
into public health eventually, and a Ph.D. would be
The tasks and necessary skills change from
necessary to do research. Six months in, I realized
undergraduate studies to graduate coursework
I wanted my Ph.D. program to be more closely tied
to practical skills in clinical rotations. It’s best to
to public health, so I asked our associate deans of
learn from your mistakes and keep a good attitude
academic affairs and research if I could return to
to adjust to the changing demands quickly.”
the class of 2017. They suggested another option.

52 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

Dr. Ellen Jackson was hooded
by her father, Dr. Todd Jackson,
in May.

(

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It's best to learn from your mistakes and keep a good
attitude to adjust to the changing demands quickly.â&#x20AC;?

)

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 53

A Double Honor

Stepanek wins both McElroy, Gentle Doctor awards

It takes a special person to win both
the Gentle Doctor Award and the
Dean Clarence H. McElroy Award.
In the 70-year history of the OSU Center
for Veterinary Health Sciences, only four
times has a student earned both awards.

In 2018, Murphee Stepanek of
Dallas became that special person.
“I was in awe and very honored.
Hearing the story behind the Gentle
Doctor Award — it’s more than just a
trophy,” Stepanek said. “It’s an extreme
honor to receive it and know what it
stands for. There are so many people in
this class who demonstrated the same
qualities that this award represents.
They are all worthy of it. I was very flattered and
humbled to receive the award.”
The Gentle Doctor Award reflects concern,
affection, love and the significance of life for all
of God’s creatures great and small. Created in
heroic, larger-than-life proportions, the original
statue recognizes the strength, endurance, and
skillfulness a successful veterinarian needs.
(Stepanek received a smaller replica of the statue
as part of her honor.) Recipients are chosen by class
ballot.
When her name was announced as the recipient
of the McElroy Award, Stepanek was again
surprised.
“I was really in shock to receive that one,” she
said. “That’s the one people talk about — it’s a
biggie. And to see the past winners — professors
that I admire, professors that I have learned
so much from. To be in that company is just
somewhere I never saw myself.”
Created in honor of the founding dean of the
College of Veterinary Medicine, the Dean Clarence
H. McElroy Award recognizes high academic
achievement, leadership and outstanding clinical
proficiency. It’s the most prestigious award
bestowed upon a graduate of the veterinary center,
selected by a ballot of faculty and class peers.
Stepanek wanted to become a veterinarian
since she knew what the word meant. Originally,
she wanted to do anything with horses but later
discovered she enjoys small animal clients more.

54 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTO GENESEE PHOTO

Murphee Stepanek

“As much as people think we’re in this all for the
animals, we’re in it for the owners, too,” Stepanek
explained. “I really like the interaction we have
with small animal clients. Small animals are like
a member of the family. They put a lot of effort into
saving those little critters and protecting them
from disease. You really see that passion and that
dedication towards the patient in those clients.”
Stepanek was one of 80 students who earned
their DVM degree on May 11 at Gallagher-Iba
Arena on the OSU Stillwater campus. Like many of
her classmates, Stepanek has a job waiting for her.
“I got hired at a small animal clinic in Dallas that
has a big emergency and critical care department,”
Stepanek said. “I will be doing mostly emergency

(

and critical care working the odd hours of the night.
I was very lucky to get a job that I love and that I’m
excited about. And it’s in my hometown, which I
love as well because I’ll be around family.”
And to anyone considering a career in
veterinary medicine, Dr. Stepanek offers this
advice: “It can be very stressful at times. You have
to have a really great work ethic coming in. It’s not
something you will develop while you are here; you
have to start with it. You have to have a little bit of a
backbone. It is a very, very fulfilling line of work. Be
prepared to work and work hard but with that work,
expect great rewards.”
Stepanek is the daughter of Shannon and Mark
Stepanek of Dallas.

“It is a very fulfilling line of work. Be
prepared to work and work hard but with
that work, expect great rewards.”

PHOTO DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR

)

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 55

(

“It's just a huge honor to be recognized for the
work that I am doing while in school.”

56 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

)

STORY KAYLIE WEHR | PHOTO PHIL SHOCKLEY

Taking the
Long Way Around
Dean Orr Award goes to Arsola

E

mily Arsola may have taken a bit of a
circuitous route to Oklahoma State
University, but it’s certainly working out

for her.
The third-year veterinary student is the 2018
recipient of the Dean Harry W. Orr Memorial
Award scholarship. The Dean Orr Award honors
the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences’ second
dean.
“It’s just a huge honor to be recognized for the
work that I am doing while in school,” Arsola
said. “I never knew there were scholarships for vet
school.”
Arsola, who has also received the Butch and
Luella Ruth Curtis Scholarship and the Sangiah
Endowed Scholarship in Veterinary Pharmacology,
is grateful to the donors who make the scholarships
possible.
“It’s so amazing that there are so many donors
who want to put money toward our education,” she
said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
Arsola’s journey to veterinary medicine is a
little different than those of her classmates. She
began her undergraduate studies at Louisiana
State University as a pre-med student, preparing
to pursue human medicine. Fate intervened when
Arsola attended a pre-vet meeting her freshman
year.
“I attended a pre-vet club meeting on a whim
and was just sold ever since on becoming a
veterinarian,” Arsola said. “As a kid I wanted to
become a veterinarian, but I kind of deviated away
from that for a little while.”
It was fate yet again that brought her to
OSU when her mother moved from London to
Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
“I am actually a transfer student from St.
George’s University (in Grenada). I spent three
months there before my mom encouraged me to
apply for a transfer to OSU,” Arsola said.
Arsola wasn’t sure what to expect when she
applied, but once she set foot on campus, she was
sure she made the right choice.

“I just really fell in love with the people at this
school and the school itself, and I couldn’t see
myself finishing my degree anywhere else,” she
said. “I never looked back.”
Relationships play a huge role in student
success in vet school. Arsola has made it a point to
forge relationships with professors and classmates.
“Knowing I have lifetime friendships after this
is really nice,” she said. “This is a profession where
you are going to have to lean on a lot of people, and
you’re not always going to have all the answers and
to have friends in the profession I can call is such a
nice thing.”
Arsola credits many of those relationships to
her involvement in various organizations. She
has been a member of the Veterinary Business
Management Association, the Production Animal
Medicine Society and Omega Tau Sigma. She
was also one of the founding members and vice
president of the Oklahoma State Student American
Veterinary Medical Association Wellness
Committee.
As she transitions into her final year of vet
school, Arsola looks forward to applying what she
has learned in her clinical rotations.
“I am looking forward to coming into my own as
a future veterinarian and gaining my confidence,”
Arsola said. “I think confidence is a huge thing for
people right out of school. It’s not something they
can teach you; it’s something you have to work
toward and make sure that you practice what you
have learned.”
She’s still trying to figure out what she will do
after she graduates.
“Every time I think I know what I’m about to
do or where I am headed, something changes, or I
think ‘maybe I’ll do this instead,’” Arsola said. “I
think the possibility of being a practice owner is
still something that I really want to pursue.”
Whatever path she decides to take, Arsola will
always be thankful to those donors, professors and
clinicians who invested in her future.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 57

RACING
TO WIN

OSU ALUMNUS ENJOYS CARING FOR TOP EQUINE ATHLETES

HOOVES THUNDERING.
NOSTRILS FLARING. CROWDS YELLING.

58 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS DR. PHILIP TRIPP

That’s a typical day for Dr. Philip
Tripp — and has been since he earned
his DVM degree from Oklahoma State
University in 1986. He’s a racetrack
veterinarian who works seven months
of the year at Churchill Downs in
Kentucky and five months at Oaklawn
Park in Arkansas.
“I feel like a drifter at times. But these
are good people; it’s teamwork,” said
Tripp. “It’s a pretty fast-paced job. There
is always something going on. You don’t
spend time sitting around. It’s fun to
help these horses develop as athletes.”
Tripp has worked with two Triple
Crown winners, three Horse of the
Year recipients, two Preakness Stakes
winners, numerous Breeders’ Cup
winners, and many other winners.
“American Pharoah won the Triple
Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic in
2015. Justify won the Triple Crown in
2018 — only the second horse to win
with an undefeated record following
Seattle Slew (1977).”
There are more. “Rachel Alexandra
is one of my favorite memories of my
career so far. She was the first filly to
win the Preakness in 85 years. The
only time I really got goose bumps was
watching her run in the Kentucky Oaks.

Dr. Philip Tripp with 2009 Preakness
winner Rachel Alexandra, the first
filly to win the race in 85 years.

As I watched her win by 20 lengths, I
thought to myself, ‘I will never see this
again in my lifetime.’”
But it isn’t all fun and glory. His days
start at 3 a.m., when his alarm goes off.
His work days, usually 12-plus hours,
can extend until midnight to cover night
races.
“It’s long days,” he said. “You are
outside all the time. You can’t be afraid
of work. You put in a lot of hours in a
week and sometimes for several weeks
in a row. We try to practice highquality medicine. When you work on
horses at this level, it allows you to use
some modalities you might not get to
use normally on a horse. It can be very
rewarding.
“It’s fun now that several of these
horses are broodmares or standing as
stallions and I see their offspring come
to the track. I can say ‘I worked on this
one’s mama’ or ‘I worked on her daddy.’
I worked on Mariah’s Storm, who was
bred to Storm Cat. The result was
Giant’s Causeway, who went on to be a
very prolific sire.”
Tripp grew up in various parts of
Oklahoma, graduating from high school
in Guymon. His brother, Dr. Mike Tripp
(1982) was four years older. The younger

Dr. Philip Tripp with 2015 Triple
Crown winner American Pharoah.

Tripp became interested in horses
listening to his brother’s veterinary
friends and classmates Mike Fox and
Tony Pickard.
“My brother Mike was a freshman
in veterinary college when I was just
starting my undergrad degree. Mike Fox
and Tony Pickard worked the racetrack
in New Mexico with Dr. Max Baker,” he
recalled. “I knew they would not be able
to work the summer between their third
and fourth years of veterinary school so
I asked Dr. Baker if I could work for him.”
And he was hooked. After graduation,
Tripp worked at racetracks in
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and
Nebraska. When the track in Omaha,
Nebraska, closed, he moved to Kentucky.
“Once you have been around horses,
it kind of gets into your blood. It’s fun to
watch these horses put everything they
have into it. You’re involved in helping
keep these racehorses healthy. It’s
challenging and rewarding. I’ve been
truly blessed; it’s been a great ride.”
Dr. Philip Tripp resides in Finchville,
Kentucky, and is a partner in Kentucky
Equine Medical Associates.

Dr. Philip Tripp with 2018 Triple
Crown winner Justify.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 59

Distinguished
Alumni
CVHS honors three for career achievements

DR. R. REYNOLDS COWLES JR.
R. Reynolds Cowles Jr., DVM, earned his DVM degree from
Oklahoma State University in 1967. Since then, he has served
the equine needs of Albemarle County in Virginia, where he
founded Blue Ridge Equine Clinic.
Dr. Cowles is involved in the clinic’s day-to-day activities,
providing clinic services and farm calls. The bulk of his
practice concerns lameness in performance and racing horses.
Cowles has been deeply involved with the Virginia horse
industry and organized veterinary medicine for 45 years,
serving in many capacities. He is immediate past president
of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
and an AAEP board member and was treasurer from 2005 to
2008. He has also served on the advisory board of the GraysonJockey Club Research Foundation and the advisory committee
for the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center. Cowles
is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (which awarded
him the 2009 Distinguished Veterinarian Award), and the
Virginia Association of Equine Practitioners. He is also a past
president of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association.
Currently, Cowles serves on the board of directors of the
National Steeplechase Association and is chair of the safety
committee.
Cowles, his wife Evelyn, and a host of horses and dogs live
in Albemarle County at Yadkin Farm. His hobbies include fox
hunting, bird shooting and fly-fishing. They have two grown
children, Allison and Reuben, and four grandchildren.

60 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

COWLES

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS PROVIDED

DR. CHARLES W. QUALLS JR.

JOHNSON

DR. BILL J. JOHNSON
Bill J. Johnson, DVM, DACVP, earned his DVM
degree from Oklahoma State University in 1973. A native
of Claremore, Oklahoma, he practiced in Northeastern
Oklahoma for four years after graduation.
Dr. Johnson returned to OSU in 1977 to complete a
residency in pathology at the Oklahoma Animal Disease
Diagnostic Laboratory. He became a diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 1982. He
served as assistant professor of pathology at OADDL from 1981
to 1988.
In 1988, Johnson became the section chief of pathology at
the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at
the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California,
Davis. In 2001, he returned to OSU as a professor and assistant
director of OADDL. In 2004, he became director of OADDL
until he retired in 2013.
During his career, Johnson served as the South Central
District representative to the American Association of
Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), which
included serving on the group’s accreditation committee from
2003 to 2015.
He has authored or co-authored 60 referenced papers and
book chapters, 29 abstracts and 27 scientific presentations
at state or national meetings. Johnson was also a veterinary
lecturer on reproductive diseases, immunopathology and
digestive tract diseases of animals.

Charles W. Qualls Jr., DVM, PhD, DACVP, earned his DVM
degree from Oklahoma State University in 1973. In 1980, he
earned a Ph.D. in comparative pathology while completing
a residency in veterinary pathology from the University of
California, Davis. In 1982, Qualls became a diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
Dr. Qualls spent the majority of his career in academia
with faculty appointments at Louisiana State University and
at OSU, where he was a professor. His research career focused
on toxicologic pathology. He has authored or co-authored
more than 90 peer reviewed publications and made numerous
scientific presentations. Qualls has been the major professor
and thesis adviser for seven doctoral students and has been a
member of 17 graduate committees.
In 1999, Qualls joined GlaxoWelcome as a senior principal
pathologist and advanced to positions of project director/
pathologist and director of molecular and ultrastructural
pathology. In 2005, he joined Amgen Inc., as executive director.
He established and headed a Department of Investigative
Toxicology, with an eventual staff of 40 that de-risked early
stage molecules using cutting-edge technologies. He retired in
2014.
Throughout his career, Qualls has been involved in
numerous professional committees and organizations
including the International Health and Environmental
Sciences Institute’s technical committee, the Society of
Toxicologic Pathologists, the American Veterinary Medical
Association and the International Society of Ecosystem
Health. Today, he consults on drug safety through Qualls
Preclinical Solutions LLC.

QUALLS

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 61

50 years later...

Catching up with the Class of 1968

62 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

1968

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTO GENESEE PHOTO

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 63

REUNIONS

Dan D. Denham
DVM

John A. Hamil
DVM

Thomas R. Latta
DVM

Bill H. Foster
DVM

Keith A. Hand
DVM, MS

Michael T. McCreight
DVM

J. Clay Freeny
DVM

John S. Howarth
DVM

Lawrence D. McGill
DVM, Ph.D., DACVP

Gene Frie
DVM

Kenneth O. Isom
DVM

Roger A. McMillan Jr.
DVM

Roy P. Garrison
DVM

Richard E. Killough
DVM

Daniel L. Merkey
DVM

64 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

Dan D. Denham, DVM, served in the U.S.
Army Veterinary Corps as a captain, first
caring for the caisson horses used in
the funerals of fallen soldiers and then
overseeing the war dogs leaving and
returning from Vietnam at Walter Reed. In
1970, he opened a primarily equine practice
in Maryland that expanded to small animal
medicine with its own in-house laboratory
with a blood analyzer. He also trained polo
ponies. In 1981, he moved back to Oklahoma
and built a mixed animal clinic on his farm in
Kellyville. The practice is only small animals
now, and his commute is just a walk across
the driveway. He has no plans to retire.

John A. Hamil, DVM, served in the U.S.
Army. He worked as a relief veterinarian
and an associate in Orange County’s only
referral hospital before buying a hospital in
Laguna Beach, California. Hamil was active
in organized veterinary medicine, including
eight years as California Veterinary Medical
Association president and 12 years on the
American Veterinary Medical Association
Animal Welfare and Human Animal Bond
Committees. He has written two books and
received numerous awards, including the
2004 OSU Center for Veterinary Health
Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award.

Bill H. Foster, DVM, established a mobile
equine practice in Norman, Oklahoma. By
1973, that became Cottonwood Equine
Center, an equine veterinary surgery center
and hospital with a breeding operation. In
1985, he started training racehorses in five
states. He was named the 1985 Oklahoma
Thoroughbred Trainer of the Year and
owned the Oklahoma Mare of the Year. He
retired from veterinary medicine in 1992 and
moved home to Turpin, Oklahoma.

Keith A. Hand, DVM, MS, joined the USDA
Animal and Plant Inspection Service in
southeast Kansas, working with bovine
tuberculosis and brucellosis. He also
worked on salmonella in Kansas feedlots
and on Exotic Newcastle Disease in several
states. He has served as a regional poultry
epidemiologist and on the Emergency
Disease Staff in Maryland. A transfer to the
Agriculture Foreign Service took him to
Panama for foot and mouth surveillance.
After 37 years of federal service, he retired
in 2001.

J. Clay Freeny, DVM, stayed at OSU in the
Veterinary Pathobiology department to
work on an advanced degree and teach. In
1974, he worked in a mixed animal practice
in Durant, Oklahoma. Following a brief
period as a USDA meat inspector, he owned
and managed the Durant Stockyards until
1982. His last job was with the state of
Oklahoma in regulatory medicine. He retired
to Caddo, Oklahoma, where he is a full-time
rancher.

John S. Howarth, DVM, served as a captain
in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, spending
his second year in Vietnam. He spent the
next 23 years working in the Los Angeles
area, then moved to the desert around Palm
Springs, California. All of his work has been
in small animal medicine. He currently works
three days a week and is considering full
retirement.

Gene Frie, DVM, joined a mixed animal
practice in Vinita, Oklahoma, and in 1969
purchased a half interest in the practice.
Frie took up team roping and in 1974, he
won the International Finals Rodeo with his
partner. In 1975, he, along with classmate
Bill Swafford and later classmate Jerry
Jaggars, formed Veterinary Properties Inc.,
which ended up with 17 veterinarians at
various clinics. Today, Frie is a racing official,
checking horses before and after races.
Roy P. Garrison, DVM, worked for the late
Dr. Anton Kammerlocher (OSU DVM ’57)
in Norman for one year. He then formed a
corporation where they shared clients and
cases. After 24 years, Garrison retired in
1992 to travel.

Kenneth O. Isom, DVM, worked in Ponca
City, Oklahoma, and then in Dallas while he
earned a bachelor’s degree in missions. He
has worked as a missionary in Pennsylvania
and Indianapolis. In 1983, he moved back
to Oklahoma, where he worked four years
at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Isom
then became an associate pastor at Mustang
Assembly of God, where he works today.
Richard E. Killough, DVM, purchased a
hospital and emergency center in Charlotte,
North Carolina, four years after graduating
from OSU. Son Brian earned his DVM
degree at North Carolina State University
and joined the practice in 1995. In 2014,
they built a new facility, which was a 2015
Merit Award Winning Hospital featured in
Veterinary Economics. The 24-hour hospital
with overnight emergency services has been
AAHA accredited since 1965.

Thomas R. Latta, DVM, developed a sixperson practice in Texas, emphasizing
beef production medicine and equine
medicine and surgery. The last 25 years, he
has focused on beef production medicine
consulting. He has been active in the
Academy of Veterinary Consultants, serving
twice as president. He received the AVC
Consultant of the Year award (2004) and
the AABP Bovine Practitioner of the Year
award (2013).
Michael T. McCreight, DVM, entered the U.S.
Army Veterinary Corps. After his discharge,
he practiced in Nebraska before establishing
his own practice in Seminole, Oklahoma, in
1972. He served on the city council and as
mayor for six years. He sold his practice in
2013 and now farms in Seminole County.
Lawrence D. McGill, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP,
was involved in private veterinary diagnostic
work for 40-plus years. He has served in the
Nebraska, Utah and American Veterinary
Medical Associations in multiple capacities.
He has also been a leader in the American
College of Veterinary Pathologists, receiving
an ACVP Presidential Award in 2015. A 2017
Distinguished Alumnus of the CVHS, he is
also editor-in-chief of Elsevier’s Advances
for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery.
Roger A. McMillan Jr., DVM, worked in
a dairy/beef practice in rural Arkansas,
in public health and then in small animal
private practice. He retired from private
practice in 2013. He is currently a shelter
veterinarian for the Northeast Arkansas
Humane Society, doing surgery, health
exams and some medical work and plans to
do this as long as he’s able.
Daniel L. Merkey, DVM, worked in Oklahoma
meat inspection until he opened a mostly
large animal clinic in Broken Arrow,
Oklahoma. In 2011, he built a new facility
doing small animal work until 2017, when
he sold the practice. Today, he enjoys
doing relief work. Since 1999, he has been
in charge of the Tulsa State Fair’s birthing
center and in 2016, he received the OVMA
Distinguished Service Award.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 65

REUNIONS

Gerald D. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mealey
DVM

Arch E. Sheets
DVM

Jeanne L. Green
Thomson
DVM

David J. Parks
DVM

Eugene F. Simon
DVM

Vernon R. Thornton
DVM

Adrienne E. Ruby
DVM

Willard T. Sodowsky
DVM

C. Glenn Warren
DVM

Richard W. Schafer
DVM, DO

Harold R. Spalding
DVM

Gary L. White
DVM

Richard L. Shafer
DVM

James A. Summers
DVM

H. Ellen Whiteley
DVM

LEARN MORE: Visit the class of 1968 online: https://okla.st/1968.

66 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

Gerald D. O’Mealey, DVM, practices in his
hometown of Tonkawa, Oklahoma. He is
known for working on any creature that
comes through the door, including snakes,
ferrets, turkeys, raccoons, turtles, cattle,
skunks, horses and sheep. He has served on
the City Council and been president of both
the Jaycees and local Quarterback Club. He
is looking forward to slowing down soon.

Arch E. Sheets, DVM, moved to Tahlequah,
Oklahoma, where he lives and works today.
His son Michael (OSU DVM ’90) worked with
him for 10 years before opening his own
practice in Stilwell, Oklahoma. For the last
15 years, Sheets has hosted Special Forces
medics from Fort Bragg, North Carolina,
who work at the clinic as part of their sixweek rotation at the Indian hospital.

David J. Parks, DVM, worked in a rural
Jefferson, North Carolina, mixed practice
and then moved to Statesville, North
Carolina, to open a practice that grew to
four veterinarians and a staff of 20. He
sold the practice in 2003. He and his wife
now own and operate a kitchen and bath
cabinetry business full-time with their
younger son and his wife in the Boone,
North Carolina, area. He has no plans for
retirement.

Eugene F. Simon, DVM, started a primarily
small animal practice in Little Rock,
Arkansas. He and 11 veterinarians opened
the Pulaski County Veterinary Emergency
Clinic, taking turns working the clinic and
then leasing it to other veterinarians, which
eliminated emergency calls for the original
12 veterinarians. In 2006, he closed his
practice to do relief work and did spay/
neuter surgeries for the North Little Rock
Animal Shelter until he fully retired in 2016.

Adrienne E. Ruby, DVM, worked as a ranch
veterinarian in her hometown until she
started her own mixed animal practice.
After her children were grown, she worked
with the Hopi Indian tribe for 10 years
enjoying the work, the Hopi dances and
the fascinating culture. She then started
a “circuit rider” practice on the Navajo
reservation, where she visits four or five
towns, parks in a specific location and lets
the people bring their animals to her for
treatment. She has no plans to retire.

Willard T. Sodowsky, DVM, served in the
U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corps. Upon his
discharge, he worked in a mixed practice
and a small animal practice. Then he taught
and studied small animal surgery at OSU. In
1979, he started Table Mountain Veterinary
Clinic in Golden, Colorado, where he worked
for 36 years. He is now retired.

Richard W. Schafer, DVM, DO, served in
the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, where he
did food inspections in Germany. Following
his discharge, he worked in his father’s
truck equipment business for 16 years. He
then earned his medical degree from OSU
Osteopathic School of Medicine and worked
in Hollis and Mangum, Oklahoma. He now
owns and operates the Homestead Medical
Clinic in Bristow and Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Richard L. Shafer, DVM, served in the U.S.
Air Force, working in clinics and public
health. Allergies forced him to abandon
working in clinics. He became a Diplomate
of the American College of Veterinary
Preventive Medicine and continued working
in public health, retiring from the Air
Force. He spent the next 10 years working
for the Fort Worth (Texas) Public Health
Department. He retired to his hometown of
Newkirk, Oklahoma, where he sold hay and
started a jerky business before officially
retiring.

Harold R. Spalding, DVM, worked in small
animal medicine in Kentucky and Oklahoma.
In 1970, he took a two-week vacation
to Anchorage, Alaska, and stayed to do
relief work for two different small animal
practices. In 1989, he spent five months
working on the Exxon Valdez oil spill at
Seward Otter Rescue Center, treating oiled
sea otters, seals, and birds. He currently
works for the Department of Defense/U.S.
Army three to four days a week.
James A. Summers, DVM, worked in Tulsa
before moving east. He worked more
than 40 years as a racetrack veterinarian
throughout Maine, Pennsylvania, Delaware
and Vermont. He was an Honor Roll member
of both the American Veterinary Medical
Association and the American Association of
Equine Practitioners and was instrumental in
establishing policies banning steroid use in
horseracing.

Jeanne L. Green Thomson, DVM, spent her
career concentrating on veterinary public
health. She and her family are doing well
and feel her DVM degree from Oklahoma
State University helped make that possible.
Vernon R. Thornton, DVM, completed
an internship at Angel Memorial Hospital
in Boston and worked in California and
then in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He
went on to own a small animal clinic in
Hanover, Massachusetts, for 30-plus
years. During his career, he served as
chair of the Massachusetts Board of
Veterinary Examiners and as president
of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical
Association. He is now retired.
C. Glenn Warren, DVM, served in the
Army Veterinary Corps, the second year
in Vietnam. Following his discharge, he
practiced small animal medicine and surgery
for one year in Portsmouth, Virginia, and 34
years in Charlotte, North Carolina. He retired
in 2005.
Gary L. White, DVM, served in the U.S.
Army Veterinary Corps, the second year
in Vietnam. He was a clinical assistant
professor at Tulane University School of
Medicine, an attending veterinarian for
the New Orleans Audubon Park Zoo, and
a fulltime associate veterinarian at a New
Orleans small animal hospital. In 1974, he
joined the University of Oklahoma Health
Sciences Center. He rose to director of
Comparative Medicine in 1984 and served in
that capacity for 30 years. He led the NIHfunded OU Health Sciences Center Baboon
Research Resource program supporting
biomedical research studies across the
United States. In 2009, he received a
Distinguished Alumnus Award from the
OSU Center for Veterinary Science’s Alumni
Society. He retired in 2017.
H. Ellen Whiteley, DVM, worked in New
Orleans and for the Oklahoma Department
of Agriculture before moving to Wisconsin,
where she worked at Fromm Labs. She
was the first veterinarian in the Wisconsin
National Guard, where she attained the rank
of lieutenant colonel. She wrote pet columns
for the Milwaukee Sentinel and the Saturday
Evening Post. She developed a veterinary
technician program at Amarillo College
in Texas and opened her own cat-focused
practice, the Cat Clinic in Amarillo, all while
continuing to write articles, columns and
books about veterinary medicine and pet
behavior.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 67

REUNIONS

A Legacy
of Giving Back
Dear OSU CVHS Alumni and Friends,
Greetings from your Alumni Society. I hope your year is off to a successful start
with renewed enthusiasm. It is such a pleasure and an honor to be part of a team
truly dedicated to serving the alumni.
First, I would like to congratulate the senior students who are getting ready
to graduate and become members of this remarkable profession and the newest
members of the Alumni Society. Well done! The Alumni Society is here to help
through networking, stewardship, communicating with your school and classmates,
reunions and receptions. Sharon Worrell, our alumni affairs specialist, has endless
energy, expertise and enthusiasm in representing the CVHS at numerous activities
and is always happy to see you. Please help support an OSU presence at the major
conferences by giving to Alumni Affairs. As supporters of the CVHS, you help make
great things happen.
Finally, I would like to challenge all alumni by asking: What are you willing to
do to make the CVHS a school to be proud of? Perhaps serve on a committee, mentor,
contribute to or establish a scholarship. Please stay in touch with your classmates
and choose a class project. Make an impact by giving back to your school. Whatever
your idea, the Alumni Society is here to help.
All the best,
â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mary Flynn, Class of 1997

A 1972 OSU Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences alumna has been
named the 2018 Oklahoma Veterinarian
of the Year.
“It was very humbling,” Dr. Kay
Helms of Coalgate, Oklahoma, said
about the honor from the Oklahoma
Veterinary Medical Association. “That
was probably the 45th convention that
I have gone to. Every year when they
read that information off, about halfway
through, I usually know who it’s going
to be. I didn’t ever consider that I had
done anything worthy enough to be
considered for that award. It’s pretty
neat and having all the people there —
the technicians that I’ve trained and my
family being there was outstanding.”
Kay Helms grew up in South Dakota,
not really thinking she wanted to be a
veterinarian. She came to Oklahoma
because her sister was here. While
her husband struggled for a semester
in Oklahoma State University’s
veterinary college, Helms worked for
Dr. John Venable in the Department
of Veterinary Pathobiology. When the
couple moved away and subsequently

70 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

divorced, Helms knew she could pass
the classes required to be a veterinarian
and returned to Stillwater to study
veterinary medicine.
“I went to vet school fully intending
to be a researcher,” Helms recalled.
“However, my senior year was the first
year that mandatory preceptorships
were instituted. It was the first time
that I really spent time in a practice, and
I fell in love with it. So when I graduated,
I went to a practice in Coalgate.”
In 1972, Helms was one of only three
women in her DVM class. It would not
be until the 1990s that the number of
women would exceed the number of men
enrolled per year.
“It was pretty challenging,” Helms
said. “I will always be indebted to Dr.
Paul Winsor (OSU CVM 1959) and Dr.
Cliff McDonald (OSU CVM 1971). They
really went out on a limb to hire a female
veterinarian in southeast Oklahoma to
do mixed animal practice, which was
80 percent bovine. Most of my work was
done with cattle.”
As one would expect from a
veterinarian of the year, it did not
take long for Dr. Helms to earn clients’
respect.
“We went from some clients saying,
‘I’d rather let her die than let that
woman work on her’ to being fairly well
accepted and people relying on me and
trusting me as much as they would a
male,” Helms added.
She has several funny stories from
those early years and one in particular
stands out.
“I went on a farm call to Coal County.
A heifer in labor needed a C-section,”
Helms said. “I instructed the people

there about what I needed. We were
ready, and they said, ‘Oh, don’t start yet.
We’ve got to get Grandpa.’ So they went
in the house and brought this elderly
gentleman out. Got him a hay bale and
sat him down on it. He had his cane, he
sat there, and he watched. He didn’t say
a word the whole time. When I was done,
the heifer got up, the calf got up and he
got up. He said, ‘Well, I’m ready to go
now. I’ve seen everything — calf coming
out the side of a cow and a woman
delivering it.’”
Helms worked as an associate
veterinarian at the Winsor Animal
Clinic in Coalgate for five years. Then
she worked as a veterinary medical
officer for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture in American Packing Co.
and Potter Sausage Co., both in Durant,
Oklahoma. After a year, she went to
Murray State College in Tishomingo,
Oklahoma, where she was instrumental
in starting the veterinary technology
program. She taught in the program
and was its director for 20 years. She
retired and did relief work for the next
five years.
“The last 10 or 12 years, I do nothing
but spay/neuter clinics — low-cost spay/
neuter clinics for low-income people,”
Helms said. “I really have a passion for
spaying and neutering because we have
such a tremendous pet overpopulation
not only in Oklahoma, but in the whole
country. We kill between 5 million and
8 million animals a year in this country
because nobody wants them. If I can
prevent a couple hundred thousand of
those from ever being born, then to me,
that’s a worthy challenge.”

LEARN MORE: Visit okla.st/KHelms for more on Dr. Kay Helms.

STORY DERINDA BLAKENEY, APR | PHOTOS DERINDA BLAKENEY, PHIL SHOCKLEY

IN MEMORIAM
Gerald L. Appelgate, DVM, of Spout Spring,
Virginia, died Dec. 16, 2017. He was 84. Born
in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, he earned his
undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State
University.
He served in the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.
He returned to Oklahoma and in 1960, he earned
his DVM degree from OSU and opened a mixed
animal practice.
In 1967, Dr. Appelgate entered the veterinarian
pharmaceutical industry and worked with
multiple companies. He ended his career with
Pfizer Pharmaceutical in 1993. In 1994, he
purchased a farm in Eufaula, Oklahoma, where
he had a successful cattle operation until
2010. In 2015, he and his wife, Betsy, moved to
Spout Spring to be near her family.
Dr. Appelgate was a member of Liberty
Baptist Church, where he was active as a Bible
study leader and a member of the Personnel
Committee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold
and Eula Appelgate, and his first wife, Ruth
Anne McCuistion. He is survived by his wife of
34 years, Elizabeth (Betsy) Jones Appelgate;
four daughters, Sheri Little of Oregon; Leslie
Evans of Montana; Victoria Varma and Robin
(Dan) Wilson of California; seven grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren. Memorial
donations may be made to one’s favorite charity.
Source: Robinson Funeral Home

Rodger D. Atkins, DVM, of
Dalton, Georgia, died Aug. 17,
2018. He was 76.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas,
he earned his DVM degree
from OSU in 1967. After
graduation, he entered the
U.S. Army Veterinary Medical
Corps as a captain. He served one year at Fort
Benning, Georgia, and one year in Vietnam as a
veterinary medical officer.
In 1969, he joined a small animal veterinary
clinic in Doraville, Georgia. In 1971, he built the
first small animal clinic in Lilburn, Georgia. From
1972 to 1990, Dr. Atkins was a USDA veterinary
medical officer in Dardanelle, Arkansas. From
1990 to 2000, he was an instructor in the
USDA’s National Meat and Poultry Training
Center on the campus of Texas A&M University
in College Station.
After Dr. Atkins retired in 2000, he and wife
Melanie moved back to Georgia, settling in
Dalton and becoming hospice volunteers.
Dr. Atkins also volunteered with the Forestry
Service, the Boy Scouts and Camp Sidney Dew.
He was known for his wicked sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Melanie;
sisters Linda Marlaine Nelson of Lampasas,
Texas, and Mary Atkins Bodenhamer (Kevin)
of Tulsa; and several cousins. Memorial gifts
may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 937
Black Ford St., Chattanooga, TN 37403 or the
Boy Scouts of America, 202 S. Hamilton St.,
Dalton, GA 30720.
Source: The Daily Citizen

Franklin Baker, DVM, of Oklahoma City, died
April 5, 2018. He was 85.
Born in Tarby, Oklahoma, he graduated from
Poteau (Oklahoma) High School in Poteau. He
earned both his bachelor’s degree in agriculture
and his DVM degree (1957) from Oklahoma
State University.
At OSU, he was a member of Blue Key Honor
Society, the OSU Student Senate and Phi Zeta,
the honor society for veterinary medicine. He
also served in OSU’s ROTC. He later became a
captain in the Army Veterinary Medical Corps
and earned the Army Commendation Ribbon
with Metal Pendant for Meritorious Service.
Dr. Baker worked in Texas before moving to
Oklahoma City to open his own veterinary
practice, Grant Square Animal Hospital. He
practiced 32 years before retiring and selling
his practice to his longtime partner, Dr. Neil
Corneil (OSU DVM ’69). In 1994, Dr. Baker was
honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the OSU
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Active
in organized veterinary medicine, he served as
vice president, president-elect and president of
the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association
and president of the Oklahoma City/County
Veterinary Medical Association.
He was also active in his community, serving as
a deacon at Emmaus Baptist Church and on the
Centennial Advisory Commission at OSU, on the
OSU Heritage Society, the board of directors at
Grant Square Bank/First Enterprise Bank, and
president of the South Oklahoma City Kiwanis
Club, to name a few.
Franklin is survived by his wife of almost 60
years, Betty, whom he met at OSU; daughters
Dana (Carl) of Oklahoma City and Melanie
(Randel) of Owasso, Okla.; and two grandsons.
His legacy of care and compassion for all
creatures great and small endures.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Franklin and
Betty Baker Graduate Student Scholarship at
OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
Please make checks payable to the OSU
Foundation with the scholarship noted on the
check and mail to 308 McElroy Hall, Stillwater,
OK 74078.
Source: The Oklahoman

Delia “Dee” Burchfield,
DVM, 78, of Bayard,
Nebraska, died Dec. 20,
2017, after battling COPD.
Born in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota, she and her
family moved to the North
Platte Valley in 1942. She
graduated from McGrew
High School in 1957.
She attended Kansas State Teachers College
in Emporia, where she was an accomplished
track and field athlete and a member of several
honorary societies. She returned to western
Nebraska and spent several years working for
Lockwood Corp. In 1975, she earned a DVM
degree from Oklahoma State University and
served an internship in small animal medicine at
Colorado State University.
Dr. Burchfield worked in a veterinary practice in
San Diego for a few years, then a small animal
veterinary practice in Fallbrook, California. She
returned to Nebraska in the late 1980s and had
a veterinary practice in Gering for a few years
before moving into semi-retirement.
Dr. Burchfield was loved by many and known
for her love of animals, her business acumen
and her kindness. She was a member of many
historical, conservation and animal-focused
entities.
She is survived by her brother, Gary (and
wife Phyllis) Burchfield of Lincoln, Nebraska;
a nephew and two nieces as well as many
friends. Memorial gifts may be made to the
Panhandle Humane Society, 126 S. Beltline Hwy.
W, Scottsbluff, NE 69361; the Banner County
Museum, 200 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Harrisburg,
NE 69156; or the Legacy of the Plains Museum,
2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341.
Source: The Star Herald
Alvon Paul Crosslin, DVM, 73, of Tahlequah,
Oklahoma, died Aug. 29, 2016. Born in Fort
Smith, Arkansas, he graduated from Tahlequah
High School, where he participated in sports
and played quarterback for the football team.
He went on to Fort Scott Community College,
where he also played quarterback. He attended
Northeastern State University and earned his
DVM degree from Oklahoma State University
in 1971.
Dr. Crosslin specialized in treating horses and
was a well-respected equine specialist. In his
spare time, he was an avid fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Billie
Jean Crosslin; three children, Sandy CrosslinYoung (David), Alvon Paul Crosslin (Marsha),
and Patti Buhl (Shannon), all of Tahlequah; five
grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his
faithful dog, Buddy; and other family members
and friends.
Source: Green Country Funeral Home

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 71

IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Joe Raymond Davis,
DVM, of Houston, died Aug.
26, 2018. He was 83.
Dr. Davis was born in
Marked Tree, Arkansas.
He graduated from the
University of Arkansas and
married Mary Catherine
Cobb. He served in the Army, attending
artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, flight
training in San Marcos, Texas, and winding up
his service at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, as a
first lieutenant flying the L-19 and L-20 aircraft.
After the Army, he attended veterinary school
at OSU, graduating in 1965. Dr. Davis began
practicing at Village Veterinary Clinic in
Houston, where clients, patients and associates
were treasures of his heart.
He was a member of Chapelwood United
Methodist Church, where he served as
education coordinator, administrative board
member, sports coach and a Sunday school
teacher. Dr. Davis was also an avid golfer and a
member of Riverbend Country Club.
Dr. Davis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary
Catherine Davis, and sons Rob Davis and Andy
Davis (Laura). Memorial gifts may be made
to the Chapelwood United Methodist Church
Foundation, 11140 Greenbay Street, Houston, TX
77024 or Wounded Warrior Project, 2200 Space
Park Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77058.

Jefferson “Gary” Edwards, DVM, of Batesville,
Arkansas, died Sept. 8, 2018, after a long
battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 77.
Born in Newark, Arkansas, he graduated
from the University of Arkansas. In 1966, he
earned his DVM degree from Oklahoma State
University. He owned a private veterinary
practice in Batesville and went on to have a long
career in the poultry industry. Dr. Edwards was
recognized as an expert on poultry production
and traveled the world setting up and directing
poultry operations.
At age 58, Dr. Edwards retired and began giving
back to others. An active member of the First
Baptist Church of Batesville, he participated
in many mission trips across the country. He
volunteered for community organizations
including White River Medical Center, Help and
Hope, and Williams Baptist University. In 2010,
the Arkansas Hospital Association named him
the Volunteer of the Year for Arkansas.
Dr. Edwards is survived by his daughters,
Andrea Edwards of Little Rock, Arkansas,
Amanda Edwards of Collinsville, Illinois,
and Pat James (Leonard) of Batesville; five
grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Una Dell
Edwards, and his parents.
Memorial gifts may be made to Arkansas
Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little
Rock, AR 72116; White River Medical Center,

72 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

1710 Harrison St., Batesville, AR 72501; John
3:16 Ministries, 75 Holmes Road, Charlotte, AR
72522; or the organization of your choice. He
would also say that what would honor him most
would be an act of service to someone or to an
organization that needs it.
Source: The Edwards Family

Sidney A. Ewing, DVM, of
Stillwater, died Jan. 3, 2018.
He was 83.
Born at Emory University
Hospital in Atlanta, he
graduated from Newton
County (Georgia) High
School. He earned his
DVM degree from the University of Georgia
and a master’s degree from the University of
Wisconsin. Dr. Ewing then came to Oklahoma to
complete a doctorate in veterinary parasitology
with Dr. Wendell Krull. He met Margaret Steffens
in 1961, and they married in 1963. They have
three daughters, Holly, Ann, and Leah, born in
three different states.
Dr. Ewing, a veterinary parasitologist, taught
and pursued research and administration at
Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Mississippi
State universities, as well as the University of
Minnesota. His work at OSU spanned more
than five decades. Dr. Ewing was the Wendell
H. and Nellie G. Krull Professor Emeritus of
Veterinary Parasitology in the Department of
Veterinary Pathobiology. He investigated tickborne diseases, roundworms and countless
other parasites, publishing numerous scientific
papers. A parasite, Ehrilichia ewingii, is named
after him. He continued to teach veterinary
history at OSU even after retirement.
Dr. Ewing was named Oklahoma Veterinarian
of the Year in 1997. Later that year, he received
Oklahoma State’s first Eminent Faculty Award.
In 2000, he was named to the Oklahoma
Higher Education Hall of Fame. The American
Association of Veterinary Parasitologists
named him the 2002 Distinguished Veterinary
Parasitologist of the Year. Dr. Ewing served
as president of the Conference of Research
Workers in Animal Diseases in 1985-1986, and
was the dedicatee of the 89th annual meeting
in 2008.
He was also passionate about plants in the
wild and in gardens. He enjoyed looking at all
manner of things outside, frequently noticing
tiny flowers in unexpected places, celestial
phenomena, singing birds, and the works of
ants, beetles and other spineless animals. Dr.
Ewing was a kind and gentle person, a deeply
committed mentor and a faithful friend. Many
describe him as a true gentleman.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret
Ewing of Stillwater; daughters Holly A. Ewing of
Greene, Maine; Ann K. Ewing (Ryan Schwindt)
of Silver Spring, Maryland; and Leah G. Ewing

(Geoffrey Tattersfield) of Durham, North
Carolina; and one grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Krull Prize 28-87600 payable to the OSU
Foundation and mailed to Oklahoma State
University, 308 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK
74078; the Class of 1958 Sidney A. Ewing
Graduate Scholarship at the University of
Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA
30602, or the Botanic Garden, Oklahoma State
University, 3300 W. 6th Street, Stillwater, OK
74078.

Jackie “Jack” Vann Hill,
DVM, 85, of Fayetteville,
North Carolina, died Jan.
3, 2018. Born in Sampson
County, North Carolina, he
was an Army veteran of the
Korean War. He attended
North Carolina State
University and earned his
DVM degree from Oklahoma State University
in 1965.
Dr. Hill practiced veterinary medicine for more
than 50 years and retired from Gray’s Creek
Animal Hospital in Fayetteville in 2016. He
was a past district governor of Rotary Club
International. Dr. Hill also was a Mason and
Shriner and served on the board of trustees of
Fayetteville State University.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen
Torrans Hill; two sons, Dr. Samuel C. Hill IV
(Karen) of Florence, South Carolina, and Dr.
Ashley Hill (Jennifer) of Fayetteville; one
daughter, Superior Court Judge Claire V. Hall of
Fayetteville; five grandchildren; several nieces
and nephews; extended family members and
friends.
Memorial gifts may be made to Fayetteville
Animal Protection Society, P.O. Box 58195,
Fayetteville, NC 28305 or Unchained
Cumberland County Big Fix, 7132 Sim Canady
Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348.
Source: The Fayetteville Observer

Billy E. Hooper, DVM, MS,
Ph.D., DACVP, died June 6,
2018. He was 86. Dr. Hooper
was nationally recognized for
his leadership in academic
veterinary medicine.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran
who served in the Korean
War, he earned his DVM degree at the University
of Missouri (’61) and a master’s degree (’63)
and doctorate (’65) in veterinary pathology
at Purdue University. He served on Purdue’s
College of Veterinary Medicine faculty from 1973
to 1986.

In 1986, Dr. Hooper became the first executive
director of the Association of American
Veterinary Medical Colleges. In 1992, he
joined Oklahoma State University’s Center
for Veterinary Health Sciences as a professor
and associate dean of academic affairs,
serving until 1997. Dr. Hooper also held faculty
appointments at the University of Missouri,
University of Georgia and Western University
of Health Sciences.
Dr. Hooper was instrumental in supporting
the Iverson Bell Symposium, the oldest and
longest-running symposium in veterinary
medicine devoted to exploring issues of
diversity. In fact, Dr. Hooper received the
Iverson Bell Award and on its 50th anniversary,
the AAVMC honored him by renaming the
annual AAVMC Recognition Lecture the Billy
E. Hooper Lecture Award for Distinguished
Service to Veterinary Medical Education, in
recognition of the founding role Dr. Hooper
played as the AAVMC’s first executive director
and as a former editor of the Journal of
Veterinary Medical Education.
On retirement, he and his wife, Janice, returned
to the Lafayette, Indiana, area where Dr. Hooper
often volunteered. He served as president of the
Lafayette Citizens Band and chaired the Youth
Services Committee of the Lafayette Kiwanis
club.
Besides his wife, Dr. Hooper is survived by a son,
a daughter and three grandchildren. Memorial
gifts may be made toward scholarships for
veterinary medical and veterinary technology/
nursing students to the Purdue Foundation, 403
W. Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
Sources: Purdue Veterinary Medicine News and
JAVMA News

Anton (Tony) A.
Kammerlocher, DVM, of
Newcastle, Oklahoma, died
in his home on March 21,
2018. He was 84.
Born in Mooreland,
Oklahoma, he graduated
from Mooreland High School.
He earned his DVM degree from Oklahoma
State University in 1957 and served as class
representative.
During his veterinary medicine education, he
served as veterinary school senator (195455), as vice president (1955-56) and as student
body president (1956-57) for the Oklahoma
A&M Student Association. During this time,
Oklahoma A&M changed its name to Oklahoma
State University, and the School of Veterinary
Medicine changed its name to the College of
Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation, Dr. Kammerlocher
served as a captain and public health officer
in the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corps from
1957 to 1961. He was stationed in Montgomery,

Alabama; Moses Lake, Washington; and the
Azore Islands. He was a faculty member and
researcher partnered with OSU at Jimma
Agricultural Technical School in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, from 1961 to 1964. He worked in
a mixed animal practice in Amarillo, Texas,
from 1964 to 1965. In 1965, Dr. Kammerlocher
established Anton’s Animal Hospital, a
companion animal practice, in Norman,
Oklahoma, and worked there until he retired
in 2001.
Dr. Kammerlocher supported his community
through serving on the Newcastle School
Board of Education for two terms, joining
the Rotary Club, and volunteering veterinary
services for local and state agencies. The
Norman Chamber of Commerce recognized
him for activities as an artist in sculpting,
photography and poetry. He is a life member of
the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association,
lifelong supporter of the OVMA Foundation,
Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary
Medical Association and was commissioned
to create a BAH Relief of the Heartland Chapel
for the Oklahoma City Bombing National
Memorial. In 2007, his peers honored him with
a Distinguished Alumnus Award from OSU’s
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
Dr. Kammerlocher is remembered for sharing
his unique stories and adventures with all. His
eclectic knowledge was well balanced with
humor, creating many memories for those who
shared his company.
Dr. Kammerlocher was preceded in death by
his wife of 54 years, Ilene. His five children
survive him: Toni Kammerlocher, Paul (Debbie)
Kammerlocher, Thad Kammerlocher, Eric
Kammerlocher and Ruth Kammerlocher; 11
grandchildren; one great-grandson; a sister,
Mary; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial
gifts may be made to the Kammerlocher
Endowed Scholarship 28-98900 at OSU’s
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (checks
payable to OSU Foundation), 308 McElroy Hall,
Stillwater, OK 74078, or plant a tree or create a
butterfly garden in his honor.
Source: Wilson-Little Funeral Home

Shelly Nicole Kerr, DVM, 33,
of Bartlesville, Oklahoma,
died Dec. 29, 2017, following
a two-year battle with cancer.
Born in Bartlesville, she
graduated from Bartlesville
High School excelling in
academics and sports. She
earned a bachelor’s degree (’07) and a DVM
degree (’12) from Oklahoma State University.
After earning her DVM degree, Dr. Kerr and
her husband, Brandon, returned to Bartlesville,
where she worked for Manley Animal Hospital.
She loved fishing, hiking, camping, puzzles,

going to the movies and doing crafts with the
children in her life. Dr. Kerr had an appreciation
and zeal for life, which she lived fully and
abundantly.
Dr. Kerr is survived by her husband, Brandon,
son, Cooper, and daughter, Ashlynn; her
parents, siblings and many other loved ones
and friends. Memorial gifts may be made to
the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 239
Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR
72632.
Source: Examiner-Enterprise, Bartlesville

William E. (Bill) Kyser,
DVM, of Temple Terrace,
Florida, died Sept. 16, 2018.
He was 88.
Born in Wewoka, Oklahoma,
he served in the U.S. Air
Force Veterinary Service
from 1951 to 1955 before attending veterinary
college. He earned his DVM degree from OSU
in 1961. Dr. Kyser operated a large animal
practice in Hamilton County, Florida, for seven
years before joining a mixed animal practice
in Tampa, Florida, where he worked for the
next 15 years. He then opened a small animal
practice, where he worked for 10 years before
retiring in 2003.
He was very active in organized veterinary
medicine, serving as president in both the
Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the
Hillsborough Veterinary Medical Society. Dr.
Kyser was a 1991 delegate to the 14th World
Veterinary Congress in Rio de Janeiro. In 1998,
he served as a delegate to the Pan American
Veterinary Congress in Santa Cruz de la Sierra,
Bolivia. For his extensive work as president
of the Americas International Committee
for more than 14 years, he received the 12th
International Veterinary Congress Award.
He also received the Hillsborough County
Outstanding Veterinary Award and the Florida
VMA Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Kyser was active in his community, serving
10 years on the advisory committee for the
University of Florida School of Veterinary
Medicine. He also served on the advisory
committee of the Veterinary Technician
Program at Hillsborough Community College.
He was a city councilman for Jasper, Florida,
and active in the Hamilton County Chamber
of Commerce and St. Catherine’s Episcopal
Church.
Dr. Kyser is survived by his wife, Betty;
daughters Elizabeth Brantley, Rebecca VanSon,
Jennifer Kyser, and Stephanie Matula; seven
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to St. Catherine’s
Episcopal Church, 502 Druid Hills Road, Temple
Terrace, FL 33617.
Source: Brett Funeral Home and
Cremation Services

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 73

IN MEMORIAM
Marvin R. Leighton, DVM, of Oklahoma City,
died March 17, 2018. He was nearly 88 years old.
The youngest of seven children, he grew up
during the Depression on a large cattle ranch in
Clayton, New Mexico.
He served in the U.S. Navy before earning his
DVM degree from Oklahoma State University
in 1960. Upon graduation, he opened Leighton
Animal Hospital. At that time, he was one of 16
practicing veterinarians in all of Oklahoma City.
Dr. Leighton practiced in the same location for
more than 58 years.
Dr. Leighton was an inventor at heart.
He loved inventing solutions to everyday
problems. Hollow-core tilt-wall construction
and the original Storm Safe were just two of
his many ingenious inventions.
Dr. Leighton is survived by his wife of almost 49
years, Carolyn; his children: Patty Black, Warren
Ray Leighton and Dashea (Stephen) Gelnar;
and three grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be
made to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2121
K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 200371830 or online at Lupus Foundation of America.
Source: Memorial Park Funeral Home

Duane Ray Lemburg, DVM,
died March 22, 2018, at his
home in Littleton, Colorado,
surrounded by family and
friends. He was 77.
Born in Dannebrog,
Nebraska, he grew up on a
farm near there. He studied
at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and
earned his DVM degree from Oklahoma State
University in 1965. Following graduation, he
served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War,
earning the rank of captain.
In 1970, Dr. Lemburg relocated his family to
Colorado, where he purchased a veterinary
practice that he owned and operated for
37 years. He and his wife, Val Jean, enjoyed
traveling and spending time with family and
friends. His hobbies included golfing, pastel
artwork, poker and other card games.
Three children survive Dr. Lemburg: Kent
(James) Lemburg, Kandiss (Brad) Forsyth and
Kori (Chad) Vieth, as well as seven grandchildren
and many nieces and nephews. His wife, Val
Jean Lemburg, preceded him in death in
October 2016. Memorial gifts may be made to
the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, 1325 S.
Colorado Blvd., Suite 204B, Denver, CO 80222
or online at www.parkinsonrockies.org.
Source: Parker and Elizabeth Funeral Homes and
Crematory LLC

Paul C. Long, DVM, of
Yukon, Oklahoma, was killed
in an auto accident on April
8, 2018. He was 90 years old.
A veteran of World War II,
he had served in the Army
Air Corps.
He earned his DVM degree
from Oklahoma State University in 1956.
Dr. Long practiced large animal medicine in
Roanoke, Illinois, for about seven years. There,
he worked with the Boy Scouts, Jaycees and
the Methodist Church.
In 1965, Dr. Long moved to Oklahoma City. He
practiced small animal medicine at Dickensbrae
Animal Hospital until he retired in 2002.
Dr. Long is survived by his wife, Anna; sons
Curtis and Sidney; daughter Laura; seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Putnam
City Baptist Church, 11401 N. Rockwell Ave.,
Oklahoma City, OK 73162 or to the Putnam
City Schools Foundation, 5401 NW 40th St.,
Oklahoma City, OK 73122.
Source: Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association

Marilyn A. Maltby, DVM, of Austin, Texas, died
in September 2018. She was 63. Dr. Maltby
earned her DVM degree from Oklahoma State
University in 1987. No formal obituary was
published.

Kimsey Wight (K.W.)
McCulloch of Rockport,
Texas, died Aug. 11, 2017.
Born in Washington, D.C.,
he served in the U.S. Marine
Corps during the Vietnam
War. In 1978, he earned his
DVM degree from Oklahoma
State University.
Dr. McCulloch practiced veterinary medicine for
26 years in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He later
relocated to Rockport, where he enjoyed life
and pursued many interests.
Dr. McCulloch is survived by his mother, Virginia
McCulloch; wife, Patricia McCulloch; sons, Cole
McCulloch and Adam McCulloch; stepchildren,
Jay Heck, Lesley Petershagen and Meredith
McGee; and 11 grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Honored
American Veterans Afield, P.O. Box 60727,
Longmeadow, MA 01116. HAVA helps the
healing and reintegration of disabled veterans
and injured active-duty military into normal
American life through participation in outdoor
events.
Source: Saginaw News

74 V E T C E T E R A 2 0 1 8

Kermit W. Minton, DVM, of
Lindsay, Oklahoma, died
Dec. 7, 2017. He was 85.
Born in Seminole, Oklahoma,
he graduated from Sulphur
High School and attended
Murray State College in
Tishomingo, Oklahoma, in
1953, where he earned two scholarships for his
top status as an agriculture student. He earned
his bachelor’s degree (’55) From Oklahoma
A&M and his DVM degree (’58) from Oklahoma
State University, serving as class representative
for the Vet Med Class of 1958.
In 1958, Dr. Minton founded the Lindsay
Veterinary Hospital in Lindsay, caring for both
large and small animals. He married Frankie
Wade, and they had one daughter, Tammy.
In 1992, he upgraded the large animal facilities
with a tilting chute to accommodate larger
livestock. In 1993, his daughter, Dr. Tammy
Minton, joined the practice and took over when
her father retired in 2009.
Dr. Kermit Minton was a member of the Lindsay
Lions Club since 1958, serving as president more
than once. He was a lifetime member of the
FFA and the Lindsay Elks Lodge, having served
as secretary of the Elks. He was also a lifetime
member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical
Association, the American Veterinary Medical
Association, and the OSU Alumni Association.
In 2011, he received a Distinguished Alumnus
Award from the OSU Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences Alumni Society.
He always enjoyed visiting with clients. At Little
Glasses Resort on Lake Texhoma, he enjoyed
driving his boat on the lake and his orange
golf cart around the campgrounds. His family
says he also enjoyed aggravating his wife and
arguing with his daughter. He enjoyed watching
and feeding the birds in his backyard and
spending time with his dogs and cats.
He is survived by his wife Frankie Minton,
daughter Dr. Tammy Minton, and many others
who will miss him dearly. Memorial donations
may be made to the Lindsay Lions Club, c/o
American Exchange Bank of Lindsay, P.O. Box
128, Lindsay, OK 73052, Attn: Jared Thomas.
Source: Family

Ben B. Norman, DVM, MS,
Ph.D., MPVM, DACVN,
ARPAS of Davis, California,
died Aug. 17, 2018.
He earned his DVM degree
from Oklahoma State
University in 1960. He
went on to earn a master’s
degree in veterinary pathology (’66) and a
doctorate in animal nutrition (’70), also from
OSU. In 1966, he received a Master of Preventive

Veterinary Medicine degree in epidemiology
from the University of California-Davis.
Dr. Norman was also a diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Nutrition
and a member of the American Registry of
Professional Animal Scientists. In 2000, he
received the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Dr. Norman worked in private practices in New
Mexico, West Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. A
Fulbright lecturer in physiology in Guatemala,
he also was an NIH post-doctoral fellow at OSU.
He served at the University of Nebraska, in
Paraguay and at New Mexico State University as
well. He was a UC-Davis Extension veterinarian
emeritus and served 23 years as coordinator of
the UC Livestock Nursery at California State Fair.
Throughout his career, Dr. Norman was active in
many professional organizations, including the
American Academy of Veterinary Nutritionists,
American Academy of Bovine Practitioners,
American Association of Extension
Veterinarians, American Veterinary Medical
Association, and the Association of Fulbright
Lecturers. He was also a member of the U.S.
Veterinary Medical Assistance Team, which
assists animals in natural disasters.

Lewis W. Partridge, DVM,
76, of Benton, Arkansas,
died Aug. 2, 2017. Born in
Yell County, he graduated
from Gould High School. He
attended the University of
Arkansas at Monticello and
the University of Arkansas at
Fayetteville before earning
his DVM degree from Oklahoma State University
in 1966.
He went on to practice veterinary medicine for
50 years, 40 of those in Benton. Dr. Partridge
fondly joked that, “Veterinarians must be
smarter than medical doctors because our
patients can’t tell us where it hurts.” Known
by many clients as “Doc,” his personality and
passion made him a beloved member of the
Saline County community for decades.
Dr. Partridge was one of the founders of the
Jodie Partridge Center in Dumas, Ark. He served
as a board member for the Arkansas Veterinary
Medical Association and on numerous
committees and boards in his church and
community.
He rarely met a stranger and deeply loved his
family, friends, church, the Roundtable Sunday
School class, the St. Louis Cardinals and the
Arkansas Razorbacks. He was quick to volunteer
and an avid storyteller with amazing energy and
zest for life. He was known for entering a room
loudly and laughingly. His was a life well-lived.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Partridge was
preceded in death by two daughters, Jodie
and Joy, and a grandson, Keagan Schweikle.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra
Tucker Partridge; son Wade (Julie) Partridge
and daughter Piper Partridge, all of Benton;
son-in-law Dominic Schweikle of Naples, Fla.;
four grandsons, two brothers; and many other
relatives and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jodie
Partridge Center, P.O. Box 643, Dumas, AR
71639 or the First United Methodist Church
Legacy Fund, 200 N. Market St., Benton, AR
72015.
Source: The Saline Courier

Calvin (Cal) M. Poole, DVM,
died Feb. 25, 2018, at his
home in Stillwater. He was
90. Born in Stillwater, he
attended local schools and
earned a bachelor’s degree
at Oklahoma A&M College
in 1950.
After graduation, he joined
the U.S. Army. Based in Japan, he reached
the rank of captain. After his Army service,
he earned his DVM degree at OSU in 1957. Dr.
Poole’s veterinary career began at a clinic in
Indiana where he learned how to de-scent
skunks. From 1963 to 1984, he worked at the
Argonne Institute in Chicago. He retired from
Argonne and built a very successful veterinary
practice in Lamont, Illinois, until his second
retirement in 1991.
In 1991, he and Nina Delorme married and
moved to Missouri. They never spent a day
apart and were married for 26½ years. In
Missouri, Dr. Poole became a wood turner. He
made many wood bowls, vases and unique
items, giving them freely to family and friends.
In 2014, the couple returned to Stillwater,
residing at Primrose Retirement Community,
making new friends and connecting with old
ones.
Dr. Poole is survived by his wife, Nina; his
children from his first marriage, daughters
Claudia Poole Johnson (Chris) and Amy Poole
Wilson (James); son Steve Poole (Kae); 10
grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation,
OMRF Development Office, 825 NE 13th Street,
Oklahoma City, OK 73104 or to the charity of
your choice.
Source: Dighton Marler Funeral Home

Kenneth B. Redmond, DVM, of Clinton,
Oklahoma, died June 28, 2018. He was 85.
Dr. Redmond earned his DVM degree from
Oklahoma State University in 1960 and went to
work in a mixed animal practice in Fort Smith,
Arkansas. He returned to Oklahoma to work
as a field veterinarian for the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service until he retired in 1985
due to health reasons.
Before his health failed, Dr. Redmond enjoyed
raising champion Borzoi (Russian wolfhounds),
thoroughbreds and quarter horses.

Dr. Patricia Simpson Faw
Patricia Irene Simpson Faw, DVM, died
Aug. 2, 2018.
Dr. Simpson Faw earned her DVM degree from
Oklahoma State University in 1986. She worked
at the Animal Medical Center of Windsor Hills
in Oklahoma City.

Milton C. Schulze Sr., DVM,
of Pawnee, Oklahoma, died
Aug. 31, 2018. He was 93.
He and his twin sister,
Mildred, were born in
Independence, Kansas.
One of 11 children, he left
home after eighth grade
to find work to support his family during the
Great Depression. At age 17, he enlisted in the
Army Air Corps, working as an instrumentation
mechanic on B-25 bombers. He was scheduled
to ship out to the Pacific when the war ended.
After his discharge, he returned to Adair,
Oklahoma, and married Viola Ruth Radke.
They moved to Miami, Oklahoma, to pursue his
dream of becoming a veterinarian. He finished
high school and completed his pre-veterinary
studies at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
of Miami. The couple moved to Stillwater and in
1960, he earned his DVM degree from Oklahoma
State University.
Doc Schulze partnered with Dr. Ray Henry (’51)
to build a large and small animal veterinary
practice in Pawnee. After 21 years, Dr. Schulze
moved to Sunburst, Montana, working seven
years for the U.S. government as a federal
veterinary inspector. In 1989, Doc Schulze
retired, and he and his wife returned to Pawnee.
Dr. Schulze served in various community and
church activities, including as an elder at Zion
Lutheran Church in Stillwater. He was on the
board of directors at Pawnee National Bank.
He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing,
horseback riding, working in his garden, tending
his lawn and helping his grandsons with various
livestock projects.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Viola; two
sons, Milton Jr. and Dennis; 10 grandchildren
and 12 great-grandchildren. His two youngest

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y 75

IN MEMORIAM
sons, Stephen and John, preceded him in death.
Memorial donations may be made to the Zion
Lutheran Church, 504 Knoblock St., Stillwater,
OK 74074.
Source: Stillwater (Oklahoma) NewsPress

David L. Sturgeon, DVM, of
Cordell, Oklahoma, died Nov.
18, 2018. He was 68. Born
in Cordell, he graduated
from Cordell High School
in 1968. In 1969, he married
Judy Stafford. Dr. Sturgeon
earned his DVM degree from
Oklahoma State University in 1976.
Dr. Sturgeon owned and operated the Washita
Veterinary Clinic, where he practiced until two
days prior to his passing. He was a member of
the 4th and College Church of Christ, an elder
who taught classes. Dr. Sturgeon also belonged
to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers
and Ranchers, Oklahoma Club Calf Association,
Oklahoma State University POSSE, Oklahoma
State University Alumni Association and the
Cordell Kiwanis Club.
Family was very important to him. He loved
OSU football traveling to all games — home
and away. For each home game, he would take
a different grandchild. He loved attending all
his grandchildren’s events.
David is survived by his wife, Judy Sturgeon;
sons Shane Sturgeon (Erin) of Rocky, Oklahoma,
Dr. Scott Sturgeon (OSU DVM ’04) (Amber) of
Hydro, Oklahoma, and Steven Sturgeon (Cassie)
of Yukon, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; two
brothers; and numerous nieces, nephews and
other family members.
Source: Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home

William C. Terry, DVM, of Hot Springs, Arkansas,
died June 11, 2018. He was 88.
Born in Lubbock, Texas, he graduated from
Sudan (Texas) High School and attended
New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New
Mexico. He earned a bachelor’s degree from
Oklahoma State University before serving two
years in the armor division of the U.S. Army
and achieving the rank of captain. In 1960, he
earned his DVM degree from OSU. He practiced
veterinary medicine for 31 years in Hot Springs.
Dr. Terry was a past president of the Arkansas
Veterinary Medical Association and the 1978
Arkansas Veterinarian of the Year. He was also
a past president of the Hot Springs Country
Club, a member of downtown Rotary Club, past
chairman of United Way, past board member
of Teen Challenge of Arkansas and a founding
member of Trinity Church.
Dr. Terry is survived by his wife of 65 years,
Drew Reeves Terry; two daughters, Druann (Dr.
Barry) Baskin and Allison (James) Dowden,

Thomas Ray Thedford, DVM,
82, of Stillwater, died April
19, 2018. Born in Chandler,
Texas, he attended Texas
A&M University, where he
earned a bachelor’s degree
in animal science (1957) and
a DVM degree (1959).
Dr. Thedford worked as a ranch veterinarian in
Waco, Texas, before moving to Floydada, Texas,
to start his own veterinary practice. In 1965,
he moved his family to Oklahoma and became
a full-time faculty member in the Department
of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State
University.
He also taught at the University of Nairobi in
Kenya, Africa, attended an FDA-sponsored
school in New York on foreign animal diseases,
and worked as a researcher on goat production
and diseases in Botswana.
In 1990, Dr. Thedford became the assistant dean
for outreach, director of veterinary extension
and continuing education, and coordinator of
student, college and alumni affairs. He also
worked at Winrock International in Arkansas
and did some goat work in Haiti. Winrock
International is a leader in providing solutions
to some of the world’s most complex social,
agricultural and environmental challenges.
In 1998, Dr. Thedford retired from OSU; however,
he continued to teach a course on sheep,
goats and llamas for many years. Known as a
national expert in small ruminant medicine and
surgery, he was pivotal in developing health
and preventative care of camelids. He authored
many publications, including Sheep Health
Handbook and the very popular Goat Health
Handbook.
Dr. Thedford was active in the First Presbyterian
Church in Stillwater and a member of a rural
water board. He enjoyed working with wood
and growing gardens. He was fascinated by
geography, agriculture, plants and animals.
Dr. Thedford was preceded in death by his
parents; first wife, Nancy Jane Martin; and
daughter, Rebecca Furtado. He is survived
by his wife, Libby Stott; daughter, Miriam
Boydston; two grandchildren; and many other
relatives and friends. Memorial gifts may be
made to Meridian Technology Foundation
(Scholarships), 1312 S. Sangre Road, Stillwater,
OK 74074.
Source: Stillwater News Press

Sandra (Sandy) Sue
Bradley Wilson, DVM,
of Elizabethtown, North
Carolina, died at age 77 on
June 4, 2018, from medical
complications while being
treated for cancer.
Born in St. Louis, she
attended Texas Woman’s University before
earning her DVM degree from Oklahoma State
University in 1964. One of only three women
in the class, she was a role model for small
business entrepreneurs and working mothers
long before that was common. She ran Old
Dominion Small Animal Clinic, a solo veterinary
practice in Warrenton, Virginia, from 1967
until she retired in 1999. Wilson was a beloved
practitioner and member of the community.
In addition to her career, her passions included
gardening, reading, and spending time on her
farm with horses. She and her husband owned
and bred Egyptian Arabians from their first
Arabian in 1975 until her death.
Dr. Wilson is survived by her daughters, Sara
J. Wilson of Bellingham, Washington, and Kate
H. Wilson of Bethesda, Maryland; son-in-law
Andy Carothers; and two grandsons. She was
preceded in death by her husband, Jerry A.
Wilson.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Class of 1964
Endowed Scholarship # 28-96900 (payable
to the OSU Foundation), Attn: Sharon Worrell,
OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences,
308 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078 or to
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater
Carolinas Chapter, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite
210, Raleigh, NC 27609.
Source: Moser Funeral Home

VETS PETS

LOOKING FOR AN INSEPARABLE
COMPANION? DR. CHRIS ROSS,
PROFESSOR, HAS THE ANSWER — RAISE
A BABY LAMB OR TWO ON A BOTTLE!

Professor raises
bottle-fed babies

PHOTOS PHIL SHOCKLEY

In spring 2018, Ross was able to deliver
one of the twin lambs but had to call in the
veterinary center’s hospital ambulatory team
to deliver the second one. Unfortunately, the
mother could not be saved and Ross instantly
became the surrogate parent for the twins.
The lambs are Katahdin, a breed of domestic
sheep developed in Maine and named after that
state’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin. They are
one of several “hair” sheep known for shedding
their coat versus the need for being sheared.
Ross said he often referred to the lambs
as Mutt ’n’ Jeff (get it — Mutton Jeff?). He
bottle-fed them for about five weeks and soon
after gave them to Lost Creek Safari, an exotic
animal sanctuary located south of Stillwater.
Today, Ross owns three dogs, three roosters,
four hens and four goldfish — but no animals
who depend on a bottle.